|
Nov 30, 1885
|
Born in Madoc,
Ontario to William an Ellen (nee Smith) Byrnes.
|
|
Dec 15, 1915
|
Attested into
the 155th Battalion in Madoc, Ontario
Ø Number 636058
Ø Next of kin given as Nellie Johnson, sister, Stoco, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Farmer
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Roman Catholic
|
|
Jun 14, 1916
|
Admitted to the
military hospital, Barriefield, Ontario with an undetermined stomach ailment.
|
|
Jun 17, 1916
|
Discharged to duty
from hospital.
|
|
Aug 29, 1916
|
First reported
to be AWL (Absent Without Leave) then declared to be a Deserter.
|
|
Mar 16, 1917
|
TOS (Taken On
Strength) the 2nd Battalion Reinforcing Draft in Kingston, Ontario.
It is not
clear from the file as to whether he was apprehended or if he returned voluntarily.
|
|
Mar 26, 1917
|
Embarked the SS
Saxonia in Halifax, Nova Scotia
|
|
Apr 7, 1917
|
Disembarked in
Liverpool, England and proceeded to Seaford. On
arrival there the draft was absorbed into the 6th Reserve Battalion.
|
|
Jun 19, 1917
|
Transferred to
the 21st Battalion.
|
|
Jun 20, 1917
|
Arrived at the
No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 82
reinforcements from England and TOS the 21st Battalion.
|
|
Jul 7, 1917
|
Left the CIBD to
join the 2nd Entrenching Battalion.
|
|
Jul 8, 1917
|
Joined the 2nd
Entrenching Battalion in Hersin as part of a draft of 53 reinforcements destined for the
21st Battalion.
|
|
Aug 20, 1917
|
Joined the 21st
Battalion in billets in Fosse 10.
|
|
Nov 3, 1917
|
The 21st
Battalion moved into the front line at Passchendaele North East of Crest Farm on the night
of November 3/4 and were immediately attacked by a strong German force. During the overnight fighting, Private Byrnes was
killed in action.
After the
fighting subsided, his body was removed and buried in the Tyne Cott Cemetery, Ypres,
Belgium.
Following the
war the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to Mrs. Mary L. Byrnes, 121 Oak
St., London, Ontario.
When it came
time to issue the Memorial Cross, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll, the next of
kin could not be located.
|
|