Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau Correspondence

58 Bn AIF   Byrne T 1722  No 2 Platoon, A Coy

Killed June 17/18

I saw him killed instantly by a shell about 11 AM.  We were in Support to the right rear of the village of Ville sur Ancre.  I saw him buried in Ribemont Civil Cemetery, the bn Chaplain officiated (I don't know his name).  A cross was erected and his Pay-book and wallet was handed to the Capt Forsythe MC.  Byrne was a Corporal in my Platoon.
Age 24, Height 5'6", Complex Fair, Medium build
Witness, Israel, Sgt N J, No 2 Platoon, A Coy.  58th Bn
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He was of A Company, II Platoon.  On 17th June on left bank of River Ancre rear of village.  In supports between 10 and 11 o'clock at night; was killed outright by shell.  Full issue.  I was practically alongside him at the time.  Was buried in Ribemont Military Cemetery.  I have seen his grave, cross erected.  Private effects were handed to Capt Forsythe, MC.  The ring which he wore on his finger could not be got off his finger.  Christian name Tom, came from Victoria
Informant Sgt N J Israel, 2389, 58th Battn, A Coy II Pl.  Harefield.
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I knew Tom Byrne , but did not know his brother's name.  The latter and I shared a tent at le Havre and he told me he saw Tom killed, and how broken up he was over it.  The brother is 58th Battn, B Coy, and would be back with the unit by this time.

Informant, Stuart, C W 1174
58th Battn, A Coy
Hut 19
WESTHAM
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I cannot say that I actually saw this happen, but I was in the same trench at the time, only further up.  I know that a shell landed on him, practically a direct hit. blowing him to pieces.  More than that I cannot say.  It was when we were in front of Buire.  Byrne was A Coy, but I don't know where he came from.
PROVIS, Sgt C A L 2234, 60 D (lately 58 HQ)
A T "Newhaven", Calais 9.9.18
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Sgt Byrne was killed alongside me in Buire by a shell which came over and killed him outright.  His remains were collected and buried just outside the ADS Buire, a little wooden cross being erected.  I saw him killed and saw his grave also. Informant McNaughton J 1899
58th Battn A Coy
Hut 20
WESTHAM

He was a Corpl in A Coy and was blown to pieces by a shell at Buire on the Ancre, in the support trench; I helped to wrap his body in the reserve trench and he was taken thence to be buried at Ribemont.  I knew him well in England for 6 months when he was instructing recruits on Salisbury Plain  He was about 5'8" with straight black hair and blue eyes.  He came from Victoria. Corpl Fred Burns of A Coy could give further information

Reference Pte S J Green 2988, C Sig Sect.  No 11 Stationary, Rouen 3.9.18
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He was killed whilst in support in front of Morlancourt.  Owing to invalid fire coming on, a raid being in progress, we were afraid to evacuate the trench, and before we could send word through to the Machine Gunners we got it.  He was the last man to leave the trench.  he was buried by the battalion in the Buirre Cemetery.  I gave his pocket book and photographs to Lieut Tasker.  He was one of the old boys, slim and dark, and I think about 24.  Lieut Flintoff could give information about his death.
informant N N Matthews 2285, 58th Battalion
Private address.  11 Athol St, Moonee Ponds.