Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of John and Mary BYRNE, Redbank, Araluen, New South Wales

SACRED HEART OF JESUS HAVE MERCY ON HIS SOUL R.I.P.

Military Medal

'On 1st August, 1916, at POZIERES acted as runner to Major GRANT while party was employed digginhg forward trench in No Man's Land; went back and forth under heavy shell-fire and acted as guide to reliefs.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 184
Date: 14 December 1916

A tribute to the memory of PRIVATE CECIL JOHN BYRNE, who died of wounds in France on March 11th, 1917, aged 22 years and 10 months.
This gallant hero was the beloved eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Byrne, junr., and the dearly loved grandson of the late Mr. Patrick McCarron, of Araluen. He received his early  education at St. Joseph's Convent School, Araluen, and, under the able tuition of the good Sisters, passed examinations in music, typewriting, and shorthand. When about 16  years old he left school, and was employed in various occupations ; amongst others, for a short period he was assistant in the local post office. With the intention of becoming a  school teacher he went to school to Mr. and Mrs. A. McGuinness, and under their careful instruction, at the age of 18 years, he sat for examination in August, 1912, and, being  successful, was appointed in September to his first school at Ned's Creek, near Crookwell. The next year he was received to the public school at Frogmore, near Cowra, and in the  following October was called from there to Hereford College, Sydney. During his term there he joined the citizen forces, and went through all military training. From the College he  was appointed to the Public school at Thule, and at length was sent to the public school at Moama to relieve the headmaster, who was ill in Sydney. He came to Araluen for the  September holidays, and enlisted, going on to Sydney to hand in his resignation, and having put in his course of training in camp, he sailed for Egypt on the 23rd December, 1915, with the 17th Bat talion. From Egypt he was sent to France, having there joined the Signallers in the 2nd Australian Pioneers. He took part in the great battle of Pozieres. His  bright and intelligent descriptions of the many adventures he came through were very interesting. He gained the esteem and admiration of his captain and officers, and was much  loved by his comrades.
On two occasions he was mentioned in despatches, and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery on the battlefield, the only medal awarded in this district. His modest bearing  and unassuming manner endeared him to everyone, and his parents must find great consolation in the many expressions of genuine regret sent to them from near and far when it became known of the loss of their hero son who gave his life for his country.
On the 27th December last his mother, Mrs. Byrne, received a letter from Major McLean, Major in charge of base records, in which he says :— "It is with feelings of admiration at  the gallantry of a brave Australian, soldier who nobly laid down his life in the service of our King and country that I am directed by the Hon. Minister for Defence to forward to you, as the next of kin of the late Private C. J. Byrne, 2nd Pioneer Battalion, A.I.F., the Military Medal which His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award to that gallant  officer for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty while serving with the A.I.E.F. I am also to ask you to accept his deep personal sympathy in the loss which not only you but  the Australian army has sustained by the loss of Pte. C. J. Byrne, whose magnificent conduct on the field of battle helped to earn for our Australian soldiers a fame that will endure as long as memory lasts.
Above is the latest photo of the late Private Byrne, together with one of his grave in France and the Military Medal which he had the honor of winning. R.I.P.