Byers, Thomas

Dedicated to Dave Donatelli, Canada who became a friend 

of Tommy's and was entrusted to look after his photograph albums.

Capt Thomas Byers MC

was born at Strandtown, Belfast on 19th April 1894 to James T. Byers, Agent and Bessie Byers nee Carlisle. They were married on 26th December 1884 at Holywood Methodist Church.

In 1901, Thomas (6) lived in house 14, Earlswood Road, Belfast with his parents and 5 siblings; Bessie (12), James (10), Rachel (8), Rebecca (2 *) and Jane (0). His father's occupation is a Law Clerk (General).

By 1911, Thomas is  living in house 168, Earlswood Road, Belfast with his parents and 6 siblings, the additional two being Frank (8) and Louisa (6). (*) Rebecca died on 24th April 1901. The house was known as 'Dewsbury'. Thomas’ occupation is that of Bank Clerk.

Known as Tommy, he probably joined the Belfast Banking Company in 1911 when he was 16 and worked in Central branch.

Belfast Bank, Central branch (Donegall Square North)

On 28th September 1912, Tommy signed the Ulster Covenant at Sydenham Methodist Church, Belfast.

Tommy volunteered and enlisted into the 9th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) with Service Number 2122. His first theatre of war is recorded as Western Europe from 2nd May 1915.

Thomas Byers - Medal Index Card
(address updated to Downshire Road, Bangor)

On 11th January 1916, Lance Corporal Byers was commissioned into the 3/6 Bn. Royal Highlanders as a 2nd Lieutenant and later rose to to Captain. 

The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet reports Byers as having been 'previously wounded' with his last known address as 'in France'.

The Belfast News Letter of 7th June 1917 reports:

The Belfast News letter dated 7th July 1917 reported:

On 18th July 1917, the London Gazette reported that Byers had been awarded the Military Cross.

 

His citation reads

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  He was the only officer of the company for five days.  He carried out his duties under most trying conditions and shell and machine gun fire, with great skill and endurance.  His example and ability kept the men in hand and their spirits up at a very trying time.”

The Belfast News Letter of 19th July1917 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 15th December 1917 reports:

Promotion to Captain came in 1917.

In addition to the Military Cross, Tommy was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal.

Tommy Byers - Medal Roll 1

Tommy Byers - Medal Roll 2

Tommy returned to the bank after demobilisation until his resignation in 1920. In September 1920, he emigrated to Quebec, Canada after sailing from Liverpool.



Tommy sailed back to Northern Ireland a few times for holidays. 

• 1934, stayed at 2, Downshire Park, Bangor. Passenger list records his occupation as being in 'mining'. 
  
  
• 1956, 5 weeks and stayed at 28 Hawthornden Road, Belfast. His occupation recorded on the ships manifesto was retired.
  
  
• 1960, 6 weeks and stayed at 8 Fourth Avenue, Bangor. His occupation recorded on the ships manifesto was retired.

Tommy Byers died aged 82 on 20th July 1976 and was cremated in Mission, British Columbia, Canada,

[Death certificate - courtesy of Dave Donatelli]

Dave Donatelli from Canada made contact with me with this comment:

"Greetings: My name is Dave Donatelli and I knew Thomas Byers back in 1976 as he was a resident of our rest home in Mission BC Canada. Tommy was a very nice man and he lives until he was 93 or 94. During WW1 he had received a photo album for Christmas 1915. As WW1 continued Tommy had collected and shot photos during the war. His photo album has 57 pages of images taken from 1909 through to 1919. Most of the images have names and are dated. Before Tommy passed away he gave me his most cherished possession his photo album that has 300 photos in it. The photo album has some amazing images and I have taken great pride in taking care of this photo album ever since Tommy gave it to me. When I came across the photo on your web site tonight I couldn't believe that I was seeing Tommy's photo. I have most of the same news paper clippings on the front page of the photo album as you have on your web site. I am not sure if I had been to your web site before or not. If so I just might have told you about Tommy Byers in a previous Email on your web site. I have many photos of Tommy in the album and also many photos of his family and friends. I hope that this is of interest to you folks. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to see images from the photo album that Tommy put together. Thank you for your time Dave Donatelli"

I have been extremely lucky to be given 6 photographs of Tommy from the album. Taken in 1916/1917 when he would have been 21/ 22 they show him in military uniform along with friends and family. 

Dave describes photos as:

".... This photo is of Tommy and his buddies. The person on the far right is Ally Shaw. So far I can't find out who the person in the middle is. The second photo is of Tommy and his two buddies names William Proudfoot he was in the Australian Imperial Forces. They say that William Proudfoot died in France 7th June 1917. He service number is 2662. I don't know if there is a discrepancy on William or not because I have photos of him after his recorded death. The third person is Tommy Edwards he is in many photos in the photo album.  I have not been able to find any information on him either. The 3rd photo is of Tommy and his sisters and friends. This may have been taken in the back yard of their house at Dewsbury on Earlswood Road Belfast. ...."

The final photograph below shows the 'album' and prints as displayed in an exhibition by Dave Donatelli.

Bessie Byers (mother) died in 1925 aged 60 and is buried in Dundonald Cemetery, Belfast.  

James T Byers (brother) died in 1941 aged 84 and is buried with his wife. Their last address was 2 Downshire Park, Bangor.

Another brother, James Thomas Byers (born 1891) died in 1920 and is buried in the City Cemetery, Belfast.  His last address was the family home renumbered as 144 Earlswood Road, Belfast.