BSM Tom Byrne

Brian Hayden’s “A Bn Sgt Major retires”, from his Bn History 1984.

On Friday October 28th, 1983 there was a large gathering of members of the 21 Inf. Bn. F.C.A. in Rockbrae House, Bray, Headquarters of the 21 Inf. Bn. F.C.A., for a presentation to Sgt. Major Tom Byrne on the occasion of his retirement as Bn. Sgt. Major.

Sgt. Major Byrne was one of the longest serving members of the F.C.A. in the whole country, having served without a break since the inception of the F.C.A . in 1946.

Previously he had served in the L.D.F., Rathfarnham District Command from 1941 reaching the rank of Assistant Platoon Leader in Headquarters Company, Arbourfield House, Dundrum.

He joined the F.C.A. as a corporal and attained the rank of Sgt. Major in the old South County Dublin Battalion in 1957. On the re-organisation of An Forsa in 1959, he became Sgt. Major in the newly created 21 Inf. Bn. F.C.A.

Sgt. Major Byrne will be remembered by hundreds of past and present members of An Forsa for his exemplary soldierly qualities and the fatherly interest he displayed in the welfare of all.

Following the main presentation a number of presentations were made to Sgt. Major Byrne by representatives from other units who had attended summer camp with the 21 Inf. Bn. F.C.A. over the years in appreciation of all the assistance he had given them.

Presentations from the 21 Inf. Bn. F.C.A. were made by C/S P. Foley on behalf of the N.C.O.’s of ‘C’ Coy; by C/S B. Murphy on behalf of the N.C.O.’s ‘A’ Coy and by C/S P. Reynolds on behalf of the N.C.O.’s of ‘B’ Coy. C/S Reynolds acted as M.C. for the evening.

The presentations were followed by Sgt. Major Tom Byrne’s farewell speech to all assembled who heard for the last time his famous catchphrase from summer camp “good morning campers”.

Some photos of Major Tom