Hugh Byrne was born in Rhyl, Flintshire during 1900.

The 1911 Census shows that the family at that time lived at 14 Windsor Street, Rhyl, Flintshire.  The head of the family was Patrick Byrne aged 51, who was employed as a Tins man.  His wife Catherine Byrne aged 50 and their 7 (seven) children – Bessie Byrne aged 25, Thomas Byrne aged 21, also employed as a Tins man.  Edward Byrne aged 20, a Clerk, Frank Byrne aged 17, Errand Boy, Catherine Byrne aged 14, Hugh Byrne aged 11 and Joseph Leslie Byrne aged 10 years.

Little is known of his early life but in 1917 he enlisted at Wrexham, Denbighshire as a Soldier in the Welsh Regiment.

On 23 November 1918, a payment of £6.18s.0d was made by the War Office to Patrick Byrne, this being monies owed to his son Hugh.  On 13 November 1919, a further payment which is recorded as a War Gratuity of £5.0s.0d was also made to him.

Tyne Cot Memorial

Hugh’s brother Frank Byrne was also killed in the First World War and he is also remembered on the Rhyl War Memorial.

He is also remembered on The North Wales Heroes Memorial Arch, Deiniol Road, Bangor, North Wales and on a Remembrance Plaque at The Royal Alexandra Hospital, Marine Drive, Rhyl, Flintshire.

There is a Flintshire Roll of Honour Card for Hugh Byrne at the County Archives Office, Hawarden, which is dated 6 October 1919 and signed R. Owen.