Two brothers served in the Boer War, William Joseph Byrne (203) killed in action at Klipriversburg and Daniel Joseph Byrne (2347 13386).

5th Contingent in South Africa: Arrival South Africa. Volunteers from No 11 Company (Auckland) became 1st NZ Battery, Rhodesian Field Artillery. Rest of contingent re-organised into A, B, C & D Squadrons in South Africa. C Squadron split from the rest & joined the Kimberley flying column, based in Kimberley. A, B & D Squadrons joined the 2nd Brigade Rhodesian Field Force on 14/8/1900.

Movements: Ottoshoop 16-20/8/1900 [action] en route to Zeerust

Kaffir Kraal 24/10/1900 [action]

Ventersdorp : 28/12/1900 - 23/1/1901

Cyferfontein : Jan 1901-6/3/1901

Ventersdorp

Wildfontein 24/3/1901 [action]

Member of the The Zeerust Cup Match, won by the “Right Section New Zealand Battery” in May 1901 while on active service in South Africa, was possibly New Zealand’s first representative rugby league match. A letter presented with the trophy noted that it was a token of friendship intended to remind the team of the happy days passed amongst the Zeerust folks. The Zeerust Cup, a silver cup, is held by the Auckland War Memorial Museum and was loaned to the Rugby Museum, Palmerston North c2011.

Return to NZ, left South Africa on 12/6/1901 aboard SS Tagus (with 4th Contingent).

Joined 7 Contingent Supplement in South Africa with the rank of Lieutenant

Orange Free State clasp was added 15 March 1905
Photo: Te Awamutu Museum ref: 516 / R23:5 of the 1st New Zealand 15-pounder Field Artillery Football Team, 1902.

Daniel Byrne served in WW1 under the name Dudley Alexander Byrne. He did not embark and is not listed in the NZEF Nominal Rolls. His Military Personnel File states that "it was decided to remove his name from the strength of the Expeditionary Force, and absorb him in the Reserve in order that he might be caleld in the Ballot in due course, and he was accordingly struck off the strength of the N.Z. Expeditionary Force as from 26th March 1917.

Father was named Thomas Byrne. AWMM