Lt. Arthur Emmett Byrne, MC

One of three brothers who served in WWI.

Birth registered in 1886, military file records his birth date as 22 May 1888.

Awarded the Military Cross.

Citation: On the 25th August, 1918, in front of Biefvillers, when all the officers of one of the attacking companies became casualties, he went up to take command. Under great difficulties he reorganised the company and speedily had them ready to carry on with the advance. He continued in command of his company for two weeks. On the morning of the 7th September, in front of Neuville, suspecting that the enemy were holding a position very close to his line, he organised and led fighting patrols round the flanks and secured 60 prisoners and several machine guns, without a single casualty to his own men. His courage, initiative and coolness under fire were most marked.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31158/supplement/1740/dat...

Author of the Official History of the Otago Regiment, N.Z.E.F. in the Great War 1914-1918.