John Byrne was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
On 5 November1854 in the Crimea, at the Battle of Inkerman, when the regiment was ordered to retire, Private Byrne went back towards the enemy, and, at the risk of his own life, brought in a wounded soldier, under fire. On 11 May 1855 he bravely engaged in a hand-to-hand contest with one of the enemy on the parapet of the work he was defending, prevented the entrance of the enemy, killed his antagonist, and captured his arms.
The old soldier was John Murray, who, at the Battle of Te Ranga in New Zealand over forty years before, had shown, with such terrible effect, just how good a bayonet fighter he was, when he saved the life of JohnByrneVC and gained for himself the Victoria Cross.
The Maoris were brave and skilful soldiers and on 29th April, a mixed British force of soldiers and sailors attacked Gate Pah (a Maori fort of trenches and wooden stockades), whilst the 68th Regiment waited behind the fort to prevent any escape.
The London Gazette announced the award of the Victoria Cross to Sergeant John Murray on 4th November 1864 'for his distinguished conduct", [Citation] it was presented to him at Wanganui on 5th December 1865 by Brigadier-General Waddy, whilst the Regiment was still in New Zealand.
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