Allegiance United Kingdom Role Soldier Years of service 1887 - 1909 Service/branch British Army | Rank Private Awards Victoria Cross Name Thomas Byrne | |
Born December 1866
Dublin, Ireland ( 1866-12 ) Buried at West Gate Cemetery, Canterbury Battles/wars Mahdist War
Second Boer War Died March 15, 1944, Canterbury, United Kingdom Place of burial Canterbury, United Kingdom Battles and wars Mahdist War, Second Boer War Similar People Herbert Kitchener, Abdallahi ibn Muhammad, Paul Aloysius Kenna, Muhammad Ahmad, Abd al‑Rahman al‑Mahdi | ||
Thomas Byrne, VC (Irish: Tomás Ó Broin; December 1866 Dublin – 15 March 1944) was an Irish British Army soldier. He was the recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Contents
Deed
He was about 30 years old, and a private in the 21st Lancers (Empress of India's), British Army during the Sudan Campaign when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:
On 2 September 1898 at the Battle of Omdurman, Sudan, Private Byrne turned back in the middle of the charge of the 21st Lancers and went to the assistance of a lieutenant of the Royal Horse Guards who was wounded, dismounted, disarmed and being attacked by several Dervishes. Private Byrne already wounded, attacked these Dervishes, received a second severe wound and by his gallant conduct enabled the officer to escape.
Later life
He later served in the Second Boer War. He died at Canterbury, Kent, on 15 March 1944, and is buried at the local Canterbury City Cemetery.