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Aug 20, 1895
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Born at Dublin Ireland
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Nov 7, 1914
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Attested into the 21st Battalion at
Kingston Ontario
Ø Number 59127 (temporary number 845)
Ø Next of kin given as Annie Riley of St Joseph Convent, Patricroft,
Manchester, England
o Nok later changed to Mrs Lillian Byrne (wife) of 11 Maynard St.,
Halifax Nova Scotia
Ø Previous occupation given as Farmer
Ø Stated to be single
Ø Previous military experience given as currently serving in the 43rd
Regt DCOR
Ø Religion given as Roman Catholic
Ø Assigned to “H” Company
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May 6, 1915
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Embarked the RMS Metagama at Montreal Quebec
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May 15, 1915
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Disembarked at Devonport England and proceeded
to West Sandling Camp near Hythe, Kent
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Sep 14, 1915
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Embarked the SS St Seiriol at Folkestone
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Sep 15, 1915
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Disembarked at Boulogne France
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Oct 15, 1915
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Awarded 5 days Field Punishment No 2 for being
absent from 1.45 pm parade
It should be noted
that the Battalion was parading in order to proceed into the Front Line and relieve the 20th
Battalion
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Dec 12, 1916
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Granted 10 days leave
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Dec 26, 1916
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At duty from leave
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May 13, 1917
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Promoted to rank of Corporal to replace Cpl ED
Hanrahan who was promoted
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May 17, 1917
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Attached to #4 Field Company, Canadian
Engineers
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Jun 1, 1917
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Returned to Battalion from #4 Field Coy
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Aug 17, 1917
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Appointed to rank of Acting L/Sgt with pay
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Oct 7, 1917
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Appointed to rank of Acting Sergeant with pay
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Nov 1, 1917
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Granted 10 days leave
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Nov 2, 1917
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Awarded the Military Medal for bravery as per
the London Gazette #30364
This was for the action at Hill 70. He was presented with his medal by Lieut-General
Sir Arthur Currie KCB, KCMG on January 12, 1918
The Citation reads
For conspicuous bravery and prompt action.
This NCO's platoon Commander and Sgt becoming casualties, he rallied the men,
reorganized the platoon and let it into an attack against a portion of trench occupied by
the enemy, driving them out. His promptness contributed towards regaining the line
AFW 3121 28-8-17
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Nov 17, 1917
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Returned to duty from leave
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Dec 23, 1917
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Promoted to rank of Sergeant
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Apr 25, 1918
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Awarded a Bar to Military Medal as per London
Gazette #30652
The Citation reads
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty. In connection with a hostile raid on a large scale when the enemy succeeded in
entering our trenches under cover of an intense artillery barrage and the use of liquid
fire, this NCO when in the open and under rifle fire and bombs, with great courage
advanced against the enemy and by absolute disregard for his personal safety set a fine
example to his men. He worked incessantly under the enemy's barrage re-organizing he
Company
AFW 3121 7-3-18
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Oct 20, 1918
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Appointed to position of Acting CSM (Company
Sgt Major)
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Nov 3, 1918
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Granted 14 days leave
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Nov 24, 1918
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Returned to duty from leave
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Apr 3, 1919
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Embarked the Western Australia at Havre
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Apr 4, 1919
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TOS (Taken On Strength) “P” Wing at
CCC (Canadian Concentration Camp) at Witley for processing pending return to Canada
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May 1, 1919
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Admitted to Canadian Special Hospital at
Witley with a Venereal Disease – Gonorrhea
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May 5, 1919
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SOS “P” Wing on transfer to EORD
(Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot)
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Jun 25, 1919
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Discharged from hospital and returned to EORD
Assigned to the Casualty Company
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Jun 27, 1919
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TOS “M” Wing pending return to
Canada
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Jul 12, 1919
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SOS EORD on returning to Canada
Embarked the HMT Royal George at Liverpool
TOS Discharge Depot at Ottawa Ontario
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Jul 21, 1919
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Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia
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Jul 22, 1919
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Discharged from the CEF at Ottawa Ontario
Ø War Service Badge Class “A” issued No 382156
Ø Proposed residence on discharge – Ottawa Ontario
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Sep 20, 1919
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Awarded the Romanian Croix de Virtute
Militaria 1st Class as per the London Gazette #31560
Although this was published on September
20, 1919, it was announced to the Battalion in the Routine Orders dated March 24, 1919, 6
months earlier and mentioned in the War Diary.
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May 2, 1921
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British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to
General Post Office, Ottawa Ontario
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Nov 18, 1925
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It is noted that the British War Medal was
returned to Veteran’s Affairs as “Found”
There is no indication that it was ever
returned to CSM Byrne
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