2nd Lt. Hubert Byard, 1st Bn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.
Distinguished Conduct Medal

Extract from the ‘Gloucester Journal, Saturday 20th February 1915, Page 6.

HOW A GLOUCESTER SERGEANT WON IT OLD “CITIZEN” BOY’S GALLANTRY.

Amongst the names of non-commissioned officers who have been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal is that of Sergt. H. Byard, a Gloucester man. Sergt. Byard, whose parents reside at 29 Park-street, was educated at Deacon-street School under the headmastership of Mr. A. J. Colwell. He was a sharp boy, and during his later years at school occupied his evenings in a profitable manner by selling “Citizens”. His school life passed, he worked for two or three years for Mr. Lionel Herbert, of Northgate Street, and then joined the Army as a private in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Promotion was quickly bestowed upon him, and four years from the time he enlisted he was made sergeant.

When war broke out Sergt. Byard had left the Army, and was working in London. He was on the reserve list, however, and was one of the first to rejoin the colours, going to France with the Expeditionary Force during the first week of August. He was engaged at Mons, and passed unscathed through the retreat. He took part in a large number of battles, and when he returned home on furlough for a few days on January 5th his hands bore numerous marks of slight wounds, made by shrapnel, and holes in his top coat showed what narrow wscapes he had in the course of the fighting. These tokens of the fight, however, he considered as nothing.

The incident which gained Sergt. Byard the D.C.M. happened as follows: The Sergeant’s company had been fighting near La Bassee, and were relieved at about 4 0’clock one morning. After about four hours rest they were called out again to help the Kings Scottish Rifles. Sergt. Byard, with a number of his men, charged through the line, and on to a farmhouse from which a machine gun was being worked. By the time the house was reached only three men, including the Sergeant, were still on their feet, but they broke into the building and found three Germans in an upstairs room. A fight ensued, during which the three Germans and two of the English were shot. Sergt. Byard was the survivor, and succeeded in destroying the machine gun and returned safely to his lines.

Whilst selling “Citizens” and before joining the Army the brave Sergeant was well-known in Gloucester by the nick-name of “Cronje”, which was bestowed on him at the time of the Boer War. A suggestion has been made that such a record as that of Sergt. Byard’s should be hung on the walls of his old school

Extract from the London Gazette announcing the award:

‘Distinguished Conduct Medal

8468 Sergeant H. Byard
1st Bn The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry

For gallantry on 22nd November 1914 at La Rue Marais. Accompanied by a small party he attacked and captured a house occupied by the enemy.

A Machine gun was also taken from the enemy on this occasion.’

Click here to visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Site

Extract from the Gloucester Journal, Saturday 17th November 1917:

‘2nd Lt. H. BYARD, DUKE OF CORNWALL’S LIGHT INFANTRY
Official notification has been received that 2nd Lieut. H. Byard, D.C.M., Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, was killed in action on the morning of ( Tuesday) November 6th. The widow (who is now resident in London) has also received letters from brother officers, which she has forwarded to deceased’s parents (Mr. and Mrs. Byard, 29 Park-street, Gloucester).

Capt. and Adjutant Buller writes that deceased was killed whilst leading his men. “He was a splendid officer, always cheerful and happy, and we were all very fond of him”. Capt. Gent, says 2nd Lieut. Byard “ was one of the most fearless men I have met out here; he was liked and admired by all the men, and is an irreparable loss. I hope that you will accept the sympathy of the regiment in your bereavement. Many a fine fellow we mourn as the result of that attack. Your husband upheld the regiment’s fighting standard, and it is hard indeed to lose him”.

Sec-Lieut. Byard, who was 29 years of age, was on the reserve when war broke out, and. re-joining his old regiment, went out with the original Expeditionary Force. He took part in all the heavy fighting in the early months of the campaign, including the retreat from Mons, and gained the D.C.M. - the first Gloucester soldier to obtain the distinction - for gallant conduct at La Bassee.

He was gassed in 1915, and invalided home, spending some time in hospital at Gloucester. On reporting for duty he was given a staff appointment at home for a time. He returned to France with the rank of Sergeant, and six weeks ago he was given his commission for service in the field. He came back to England for a few days, and went back to the fighting line only five weeks ago. Deceased was an old Archdeacon schoolboy, and prior to the war was in the employ of Mr. Lionel Herbert, Northgate-street, Gloucester.’

He married Peggy Seymour at St. Catherines Church, Gloucester, on 6th January 1915 but had no issue. After the war his widow received his campaign medals as next of kin which were: 1914 Star, British Medal, Victory Medal.

The church of St. Mary de Lode in close proximity to Gloucester Cathedral is where he used to attend services. His name is included on the War Memorial inside on one of the church walls.