BYRNES, John Thomas
| Service Number: | 1912 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 January 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 15th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Clermont, Queensland, Australia, 24 February 1887 |
| Home Town: | Ravenswood, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 21 September 1952, aged 65 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld Anzac Portion 8 |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 13 Jan 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1912, 15th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Apr 1915: | Involvement Private, 1912, 15th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Kyarra embarkation_ship_number: A55 public_note: '' | |
| 16 Apr 1915: | Embarked Private, 1912, 15th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Kyarra, Brisbane | |
| 5 Sep 1916: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 1912, 15th Infantry Battalion, 1st MD - Medically unfit (TB) |
Help us honour John Thomas Byrnes's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Australian Remembrance Army
Private John Thomas Byrnes (Service No. 1912), an Australian World War One veteran who was wounded in action at Gallipoli, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with a plaque recognising their service for Australia.
On 23 September 2023, his plaque was unveiled in Lutwyche Cemetery, along with a further 300 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page
John Thomas Byrnes was born on 24 February 1887 in Clermont, Queensland, to James and Maria Byrnes (née McInerney). He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 18 January 1915 at the age of 28, giving his occupation as labourer. On 16 April 1915 he embarked from Brisbane aboard HMAT Kyarra with the 15th Infantry Battalion for overseas service. After training in Egypt, he proceeded to the Gallipoli Peninsula, joining his battalion on 13 July 1915. Less than a month later, on 8 August 1915, he was wounded in action, receiving gunshot wounds to his arm and leg. He was evacuated through a series of medical facilities in Egypt, including the 1st Australian General Hospital, No. 4 Auxiliary Hospital, and the Convalescent Depot at Helouan, before being placed on light duties at Zeitoun in early September.
In March 1916 he rejoined his battalion at Tel-el-Kebir, but soon after fell ill and was admitted to hospital at Serapeum on 18 May 1916. He was diagnosed with phthisis (tuberculosis) and bronchitis, and was transferred between several medical units, including at Ismailia and Abbassia. His condition deteriorated, and on 4 July 1916 he was discharged to the hospital ship Karoola. He returned to Australia from Suez on 5 July 1916 for discharge on medical grounds due to fibroid phthisis (tuberculosis of the lung).
John married Ruth Susan Simpkins in Brisbane on 30 January 1919. He continued working as a labourer, and electoral rolls show that he lived in a number of Brisbane suburbs over the years. He and Ruth had a daughter, Veronica, and a son was born a year later but died at birth.
Private John Thomas Byrnes died on 21 September 1952, aged 65, and was buried four days later in Anzac Portion 8 of Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. His burial brought to a close the life of a man who had served his country, was wounded in action at Gallipoli, and then lived quietly and steadily throughout the years that followed.
After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.
We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget
Click images to start slideshow.