A GWENT historian who helped commemorate a Newport winner of the Victoria Cross has told of his joy at the discovery of a medal belonging to the war hero in the River Thames.

A metal detector enthusiast found the medal belonging to John Byrne while scanning the shore of the Thames in December, it was reported this week.

With help from the Museum of London, it was discovered the medal was one of the 16 VCs awarded for gallantry during the Crimean War.

Richard Frame was one of the people who erected a headstone for Colour Sergeant Byrne, who is buried at St Woolos Cemetery, in Newport.

He was honoured with Britain’s highest service award after saving a man’s life at the Battle of Inkerman, in 1854.

Originally from County Kilkenny in Ireland, Byrne was buried at St Woolos after shooting himself in Maindee in 1879.

Byrne had come to Newport to work with the Ordnance Survey, but shot 18-year-old work colleague John Watts with a revolver, after he believed he had been insulted.

His landlady told his inquest how Byrne raged “I had served my Queen and country for 21 years and I’ll never be insulted by that curr puppy”.

Byrne fled to his lodgings on Crown Street but when police officers entered the house, he shot himself.

Mr Frame became involved with his story in 1985, after the museum of Durham Light Infantry contacted him for more information on the fate of the VC-winner.

Mr Frame said: “The regiment was a successor to Byrne’s unit the 68th Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry).

“Their museum contacted me as a Newport historian to check if he was buried in Newport as they suspected.”

Mr Frame found Byrne was indeed buried at St Woolos, but was horrified to discover he had no headstone.

“It was an unmarked grave,” he added. “A local mason, Les Thomas, made the headstone for free. He loved local history - he also made John Frost’s headstone.

“He just said ‘We’ve got to do something’.”

A distinguished former member of the regiment, General Sir Peter de la Billière, came to Newport to unveil the headstone in 1985.

Talking about the discovery of the Victoria Cross medal in the Thames, Mr Frame said: ““Many VCs have disappeared, so it’s fantastic news. We can now be reminded more clearly of his bravery”.