John Lynn (VC)
{{short description|Recipient of the Victoria Cross}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox military person
|name= John Lynn
|birth_date= {{Birth year|1887}}
|death_date= {{Death date and given age|1915|5|3|27|df=yes}}
|birth_place= Forest Hill, London, England
|death_place= Wieltje, Ypres salient, Belgium
|placeofburial=Vlamertinghe Churchyard (grave lost)
Memorial headstone in Grootebeek British Cemetery, Reningelst
|image= John Lynn (1887–1915).png
|caption=
|nickname=Jackie Lynn
|allegiance={{UK}}
|serviceyears=1901–1913, 1914–1915
|rank=Private
|branch=23px British Army
|commands=
|unit=The Lancashire Fusiliers
|battles= World War I
- Western Front
- Second Battle of Ypres {{DOW}}
|awards= Victoria Cross
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Cross of the Order of St. George, 4th Class (Russia)
|laterwork=
}}
John Lynn VC DCM (a.k.a. Jackie Lynn; 1887 – 3 May 1915) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Biography
File:Private John Lynn VC drawing.jpg, 24 July 1915]]
He was 27 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 2 May 1915 near Ypres, Belgium, when the Germans were advancing behind their wave of asphyxiating gas, Private Lynn, although almost overcome by the deadly fumes, handled his machine-gun with great effect against the enemy, and when he could not see them, he moved his gun higher up the parapet so that he could fire more effectively. This eventually checked any further advance and the outstanding courage displayed by this soldier had a great effect upon his comrades in the very trying circumstances. Private Lynn died the next day from the effects of gas poisoning.{{London Gazette|issue=29210|page=6270|date=29 June 1915}}
Lynn was also awarded the Cross of the Order of St. George, 4th Class (Russia).
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Fusilier Museum, Bury, Greater Manchester.
File:Grootebeek British Cemetery 3.jpg
John Lynn's original grave (now lost) was in Vlamertinghe Churchyard. A memorial headstone is in Grootebeek British Cemetery, bearing the inscription: WHO WAS BURIED AT THE TIME IN VLAMERTINGHE CHURCHYARD BUT WHOSE GRAVE WAS DESTROYED IN LATER BATTLES A PLACE IS VACANT IN OUR HOME THAT NEVER CAN BE FILLED.{{CWGC|id=2938533|name=Lynn, John|access-date=3 February 2018}}
References
{{Reflist}}
Bibliography
{{Refbegin}}
- {{cite book|last1=Batchelor|first1=Peter|last2=Matson|first2=Christopher|title=The Western Front 1915|series=VCs of the First World War|year=2011|publisher=The History Press|location=Stroud, Gloucestershire|isbn=978-0-7524-6057-4}}
- {{cite book|year=1997|title=The Register of the Victoria Cross|editor-last=Buzzell|editor-first=Nora|location=Cheltenham, Gloucestershire|publisher=This England Alma House|isbn=0-906324-27-0}}
- {{cite book|last=Oldfield|first=Paul|title=Victoria Crosses on the Western Front August 1914–April 1915: Mons to Hill 60|publisher=Pen and Sword Books|year=2014|isbn=978-1783030439}}
{{Refend}}
{{Royal Regiment of Fusiliers}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lynn, John}}
Category:British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross
Category:Lancashire Fusiliers soldiers
Category:British Army personnel of World War I
Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal
Category:British military personnel killed in World War I
Category:People from Forest Hill, London
Category:Recipients of the Cross of St. George
Category:British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross
Category:Burials in Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries in Belgium
Category:Military personnel from the London Borough of Lewisham