TOPIC:

Hi all,

This is my first post here and I'd just like to outline my main interests. I am particularly interested in finding information on the 8th Kings Royal Irish Hussars.

My Grandfather,who joined up under the name of Peter Byrne about 1900 and served in South Africa , his medal card states he was in Cape Colony, Orange State,Transvaal, and was still in Aldershot in 1906,as he changed his name back to Joseph Lyons as he was getting Married that year. Why would he have joined under another name? He was born in 1880 so that seems OK . I have a photo of him in Dress Uniform with flags etc Circa 1900. I would like to know where to start to get his records,but am told if he served after 1922 they can't be viewed ??? He was called up to the Curragh August 1914 with the 4th Hussars and stayed with them untill abt 1923/4,including a stint in India, Muttra, I would love to get info on his record 1900/1906. any help would be appreciated. Hope this is OK am very new to this Forum operation;;; Talk soon Charlie.

Welcome to the forum Charlie2em.

There is a P Byrne on the roll for the 8th Hussars with number 4519. Do you think that is your grandfather?

Two of the reasons for joining under another name were age (being too young to join the Colours) or perhaps to evade a difficult past.

You are right that military records after a certain date have not yet been released.

There are no service papers for P Byrne. Do you have his service number as Joseph Lyons?

Kind regards
David

Many thanks David, I have both service numbers, it was recorded on his medal card first name was Peter Byrne 4519,and changed by statutory declaration to Joseph Lyons on 13 .11 .1905 to 45203 as he was getting married in Dublin on 17 Feb 1906 and his address was Aldershot, If you have any info it would great . It would seem that he stayed with Queens Own 4th hussars after the war as the Family went to India with the Regiment 1919.,I have a receipt for furniture dated 1922,in Muttra, and the Family are not back in Dublin until early 1924. If he was still serving up to 1924 when do you think I might get info out of MOD? if any are to be got.Hope you can help out it would be great Many thanks Charlie

Charlie,
As already discussed in your other thread, the MOD would assist you at this point in time as you are a family member, subject to you being able to provide proof and subject to his papers still being in existance.
The seventy five year rule is rather at odds with the freedon of information act, but, if I were you I would certainly talk to the MOD.
Regards again Frank

Charlie2em wrote: Many thanks David, I have both service numbers, it was recorded on his medal card first name was Peter Byrne 4519,and changed by statutory declaration to Joseph Lyons on 13 .11 .1905 to 45203 as he was getting married in Dublin on 17 Feb 1906 and his address was Aldershot, If you have any info it would great . It would seem that he stayed with Queens Own 4th hussars after the war as the Family went to India with the Regiment 1919.,I have a receipt for furniture dated 1922,in Muttra, and the Family are not back in Dublin until early 1924. If he was still serving up to 1924 when do you think I might get info out of MOD? if any are to be got.Hope you can help out it would be great Many thanks Charlie

heloo new here


Been looking at all the useful info on this site for ages so thought it only right I should finally register!

After many years on family history and making use of early retirement to research local men who served in the Great War I have turned my attention to the Boer War. Hoping to produce a database of local men who served, and am already surprised by the numbers I have come across so far from memorial transcriptions and newspaper articles. I’ve uncovered some fascinating stories in the letters sent home.

Welcome Tonday. I hope you can further your local research?

Can I ask you to remove the commercial links from your footer please?