Trying to trace an Irish soldier in the British army (wwI era)

Andrew Flexing

Hi all,

I don't really know anything about tracing ancestors or about the British army. I am posting a photo here of a relative that we were told served in the British army in WWI where he was killed in action. We only know his name and no other info.
Does anyone have any good links where to obtain more info on soliders.

also...does the uniform (or insignia on the cap) in the photo indicate which regiment he was in?

any info/advice is really appraciated!

thanks for reading

enfield

Always start with his name and which county he was from.

johnny_doyle

if you know his name and are sure he died, do a look up on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website. This will give his regiment/corps.

http://www.cwgc.org/

If you pass his name on, there are a number of members here who can then try to delve in for further info.

The uniform looks like the normal 5 button 1902 pattern. Can't make out enough detail on the cap badge to say which regiment/corps he belonged to.

The following may be of interest :

http://johnny-doyle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/irish-soldiers-ww1.html

Andrew Flexing

Thanks a lot for the above info.

His name was Stephen Byrne of 32 or 34 Ushers Quay, Dublin. I was told he was 22 when Killed in action in WWI. He had a brother (Christopher) and sister (Kathleen). That's all the info we have to be honest.

I've looked at the 1911 and 1901 census and cannot find him. Thanks to your link I managed for get this (http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/743376/BYRNE%2c%20STEPHEN) which may or may not be him.
The search continues!!!

I'm doing all of this for my mam who desperately wants to know more about the man in the photo (OP).

enfield

There only Stephen Byrne in my files is;-
Served under the alias Monaghan, M. Dublin Stephen Byrne Private Royal Dublin Fusiliers No. 1 Company. 1st Battalion. 40422 28/10/1917 30 Brother of Thomas Byrne, of 32, Usher's Quay, Dublin. Bay 9. Arras Memorial in France.

johnny_doyle

he appears to have been shot by firing squad

The cap badge in the photo isn't Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

Andrew Flexing

johnny_doyle wrote: »

he appears to have been shot by firing squad

The cap badge in the photo isn't Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

thanks for that Johnny!! I've send RDF an email with the image! Ill update any info here! thanks again! really appreciate your research

enfield

Well done Johnnie!

jos28

Well done indeed, that's some story ! Amazing to have got so much detail