James Byrne (VC)

For other men with this name, see James Byrne.
James Byrne
Born 1822
Newtown, County Wicklow
Died 6 December 1872 (aged 49–50)
Dublin, Ireland
Buried at Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  British Army
Rank Sergeant
Unit 86th Regiment of Foot
Battles/wars Indian Mutiny
Awards Victoria Cross

James Byrne VC (Irish: Séamus Ó Broin; 1822 – 6 December 1872) was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

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]

Further information

He later achieved the rank of sergeant. He died in north Dublin.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Royal Ulster Rifles Museum in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

References

  1. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 22324. p. 4034. 19 June 1860. Retrieved 18 September 2009.

Listed in order of publication year

External links

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