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Corporal Joseph Byrne

 

The background of this North Irish Horseman is not known at present.

Joseph Byrne enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 1 November 1915 (No.1762). He trained at the regiment's Antrim reserve camp before embarking for France in 1916 or the first half of 1917, where he was posted to one of the squadrons of the 1st or 2nd North Irish Horse Regiments.

In August-September 1917 the 2nd NIH Regiment was disbanded and its men, together with some surplus to the needs of the 1st NIH Regiment, were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Byrne, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt five days later. Byrne was issued regimental number 41438.

No information has been discovered about Byrne's service with the 9th (NIH) Battalion through the latter part of 1917 and during 1918.