Christopher Byrne MMwBar

 

 

 

Aug 20, 1895

Born at Dublin Ireland

 

Nov 7, 1914

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

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama at Montreal Quebec

  

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked at Devonport England and proceeded to West Sandling Camp near Hythe, Kent

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the SS St Seiriol at Folkestone

  

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked at Boulogne France

 

Oct 15, 1915

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

 

Dec 12, 1916

Granted 10 days leave

 

Dec 26, 1916

At duty from leave

 

May 13, 1917

Promoted to rank of Corporal to replace Cpl ED Hanrahan who was promoted

 

May 17, 1917

Attached to #4 Field Company, Canadian Engineers

 

Jun 1, 1917

Returned to Battalion from #4 Field Coy

 

Aug 17, 1917

Appointed to rank of Acting L/Sgt with pay

 

Oct 7, 1917

Appointed to rank of Acting Sergeant with pay

 

Nov 1, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

 

Nov 2, 1917

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

Nov 17, 1917

Returned to duty from leave

 

Dec 23, 1917

Promoted to rank of Sergeant

 

Apr 25, 1918

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

 

Oct 20, 1918

Appointed to position of Acting CSM (Company Sgt Major)

 

Nov 3, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

 

Nov 24, 1918

Returned to duty from leave

 

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia at Havre

  

 

Apr 4, 1919

TOS (Taken On Strength) “P” Wing at CCC (Canadian Concentration Camp) at Witley for processing pending return to Canada

 

May 1, 1919

Admitted to Canadian Special Hospital at Witley with a Venereal Disease – Gonorrhea

 

May 5, 1919

SOS “P” Wing on transfer to EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot)

 

Jun 25, 1919

Discharged from hospital and returned to EORD  

Assigned to the Casualty Company

 

Jun 27, 1919

TOS “M” Wing pending return to Canada

 

Jul 12, 1919

SOS EORD on returning to Canada 

Embarked the HMT Royal George at Liverpool

  

TOS Discharge Depot at Ottawa Ontario

 

Jul 21, 1919

Disembarked at Halifax Nova Scotia

 

Jul 22, 1919

Discharged from the CEF at Ottawa Ontario 

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued No 382156

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge – Ottawa Ontario

 

Sep 20, 1919

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.

 

May 2, 1921

British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to General Post Office, Ottawa Ontario

 

Nov 18, 1925

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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