Lives of the First World War

Medal Award 1917

This is the registration of the birth of a male child born to Myles Byrne, a Carpenter and Maria Byrne nee McGarry. The child was named Augustine when he was baptised in St Mary’s Pro Cathedral in Dublin. The Byrne family lived nearby at 18 Norfolk Market, Dublin.

Augustine was baptised at St Mary’s Pro Cathedral Dublin on 18th August 1869. Parents were Myles Byrne and Maria McGarry

This photograph was sent by Augustine to his brother Myles Byrne in Dublin.

Augustine married a widow Mary Agnes Farrell, née O’Neill at St Audoen’s Church in Dublin. At this time Augustine was working as a tram driver in. London while Mary was living at High Street in Dublin. See 1901 census records.

Augustine Byrne, a retired army sergeant, is living with his wife Mary Agnes in Bexley, London.

September 1952 St Nicholas Hospital, Woolwich, London Retired Sergeant in the Dublin Fusiliers, died of pneumonia, emphyesima, chronic bronchitis and congestive heart failure, plus senility. Address given as Cramond Avenue, Welling.

Mary Agnes and Augustine Byrne are at rest in Bexleyheath cemetery, grave B127. Mary Agnes was buried on 17/2/1944 and Augustine 18/9/1952.

In 1901 Augustine was working as a tram driver and living at Bellhaven Street, Bethnal Green. Clearly the couple were not in a position yet to set up home together as his wife Mary Agnes was still living in Dublin in 1901.

By this time, Augustine is living with his wife Mary Agnes in Hampstead, London, England. He is working as a caretaker of flats but also states that he has retired from the army.

UK, British Army Recipients of the Military Medal, 1914-1920 Name: Augustine Byrne Regimental Number: 14874 Regiment: Royal Dublin Fusiliers Battalion: 2nd Battalion Rank: Sergeant Medals: Military Medal

James Byrne was about 36 years old, and a private in the 86th Regiment of Foot (later the Royal Irish Rifles), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 3 April 1858 at Jhansi, India for which he and Captain Henry Edward Jerome were awarded the VC. For gallant conduct on the 3rd of April, 1858, at the attack of the Fort of Jhansi, in carrying Lieutenant Sewell, who was lying badly wounded, to a place of safety, under a very heavy fire, assisted by Captain Jerome, in the performance of which act he was wounded by a sword cut.[1]

Special reservist Augustine Byrne attested on 16 September 1914

Father's name, Myles Byrne of Valentia Parade, Dublin named as next of kin on previous military service record in RDF 1887 to 1899

Saw previous service in the East Indies, other places indistinct on document, service from 1887-1900

Promoted to sergeant. Spent time in Croydon War Hospital due to wounds to left leg

Error re duplication

Address

Augustine Byrne a boarder and tram driver

1901 Census return

His uncle James Byrne died in 1872 when Augustine was just 3 years old but no doubt the distinguished military career of his uncle may well have been a motivation for Augustine joining the British Army.