Charles BYRNE, Born c1833, Bristol, Gloucester

[BAC3]

Hello,

This gentleman apparently was a Private in the 34th Foot and according to Ancestry he was
categorised on 29/07/1856 as under "Pension Admission or Examination Date".   I have searched other avenues but can find no details of his military career, enlistment etc., and would appreciate any assistance.   A reference to the surname "BISHOP" would be a bonus.

Thank you,

BAC3

[Jebber]

There are some records on Findmypast which you can download, but there is not a lot of information.

National Archives WO391/1

3566 Pte C. BYRNE
For the Crimea he was awarded the  Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1857-1908 with a £5 Gratuity

He was discharged at Chatham 29 July 1856 as a result of gunshot wound, shot in the cheek and other injuries.

[Christine53]

No 3566 Charles Byrne , brickmaker , born St Michael's Bristol , attested for the 34th Regiment 22 Feby 1854 at the age of 17 and 9/12 years. Service to which he is entitled to reckon 2 years 13 days. 1 and half years served in Crimea.
Conduct good ; in possession of a Good Conduct Badge and of the Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field.

Medical Report :
Gun shot wound , struck by a ? ball in left cheek , smashing lower and upper jaw bones , carrying along the teeth and passing out in the lower and anterior part of his neck , also was hurt (?) in left forearm on 7 June last at the attack on the quarries before Sevastapol.

Declared unfit for further service. Discharged Chatham 29 July 1856 and intending to reside at Bristol St James.

Reported to have died in N London ? District 23.1.85.

[Christine53]

Charles Edward Byrne b 1833 d J-M 1885 Whitechapel 1c 212

This may be the death mentioned in the service record.

[Christine53]

British Civil Service Evidence of Age :

I , Emma Berry , of 17 Salutary (?) Place , St Sidwell , Exeter declare that I am the sister of Charles Edward Byrne , late Corporal in Her Majesty's 34th , and now a candidate for the position of watchman in Her Majesty's Customs and I further declare that Charles Edward Byrne was born in the Parish of St Michael's in the City of Bristol on the 29th day of October in the year 1832.

dated 16 October 1862.

Charles Edward Byrne full age , bach , Customs House Officer of City of London , father James Byrne , carrier
Lydia Eliza Kemp Lock full age spinster of Kings Teignton father John Lock , gardener
married 13 Oct 1864 in the Parish Church Kings Teignton , Devon

The family are on the census in Whitechapel . As I've found no connection to Bishop I'm not sure whether to go any further. 

[BAC3]

Thank you everyone for helping.

Although the profile, age etc., reflect similarly the Charles BYRNE in the caption, there is one piece of evidence which seems to counter that profile, namely, he did not have a sister Emma.

Sadly, back to the drawing board.

BAC3

[Bluechequer]

Private Byrne did have a sister Emmeline who was baptised in Bristol (St Michael's on the Mount) in 1825. She married a James Berry in Bristol in 1842.
By the time of the 1861 census she was living at 17 Salutary Place working for a retired soldier by the name of Dennis Herbert. Also working in the same household was Lydia Eliza Kemp Lock who three years later married Chas Edward Byrne at St Michael's Church, Kingsteignton.  Lydia's father is named as John Lock whose occupation was that of a gardener. In November 1865 Chas & Lydia had their first child, a daughter who they christened Emeline Elizabeth. She was baptised at St Michael's, Kingsteignton and whilst the occupation of the father is given as officer in HM Customs House London, there is a note at the side added by the vicar "retired soldier with 4 medals".
The former MOH for Newton Abbot Rural District, Dr John  Ley wrote in his book "From Youth Onwards" on how he visited a former soldier at Kingsteignton. He said that he had never seen anybody who had been knocked about so much, having been shot sideways through both eyes, lost part of his jaw and stabbed in the arm. He could not remember his name other than he was the son-in-law of a gardener named Lock. The old soldier showed the doctor a medal presented to him by Queen Victoria with the bullet which had been cut from him mounted in the centre.

[BAC3]

Bluechequer,

I am extremely grateful for all the information you have provided.   It now remains for me to place it in context.

Thank you,

BAC3