Born c.1879/1880 at Borough, South London, believed the son of William (Plumber) and Caroline Lynch. 1881: Believed to be with his parents, brother Edward and siblings at 56 Trinity Square, Newington south London, though his place of birth and that of the others is given as “London Middlesex”. 1891: With Edward, visiting Rosetta Burkett at the Crown & Horseshoes Pub in Enfield, his place of birth being recorded as “Borough”.
1901: He may be the Private William Lynch aged 22, born in Middlesex, who was with the Army at Rochester in Kent. 1907: He married Florence Mary Ann Hansford in Edmonton District. 1911: Confirmed to be a Postman at South Woodford, living with his wife, 2 month old son Denis William and 2 year old daughter Beatrice Caroline, at 3 Anne Villas, Peel Road, South Woodford. Their address was later 59 Peel Road.
Having enlisted at Hackney, he arrived at Gallipoli on 10/11th August 1915.The landings at Suvla Bay on 6th August 1915 were intended to break the stalemate at Helles and ANZAC locations, by taking high ground and then attacking the Turkish forces from the rear. An attempted breakout from the beach head on 12th August 1915 had failed. On 15th August 1915 British forces were to try again, aiming to take the high ground at Kiretch Tepe Sirt. Two Brigades of 10 Irish Division would mount the main attack. 10 London and others of 162 Brigade were to support this to the south by protecting the flank of the main attacking force, and assaulting Kidney Hill.
10 London advanced into heavy Turkish fire at approx.13.00 and managed to reach the Hill. However the severe losses sustained by the main force, compounded by determined Turkish counter attacks on 16th August 1915 prevented the gains from being secured. Although they tenaciously held the ground they had taken, attrition from machine guns, shells and grenades was so bad the two Irish Brigades plus 162 Brigade were eventually forced to withdraw. By nightfall on 16th August 1915 the British forces who survived were back in their original positions having secured no further ground. The casualty lists for the entire attacking force over two days amounted to some 4000 men. The Irish Brigades had been all but destroyed. The survivors of 162 Brigade would not be used in other offensive actions for the duration of the campaign. For 10 London the casualties were 6 Officers and 260 Other Ranks, among them William Lynch who Died of Wounds on 15th August 1915.
Memorial: Roll of Honour: St Mary’s Church. South Woodford Sorting Office (Lost).
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Principal Sources:
Ancestry.com