John Lynn
Private, 2nd Battalion. Lancashire Regiment
- Register No.
- 760 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Private all Privates →
- Unit
- 2nd Battalion. Lancashire Regiment (register: Lancashire Fusiliers) all Lancashire Fusiliers VCs →
- Date of action
- 2 May 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 29th June 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Born
- in 1887 at Forest Hill, Essex
- Memorial / grave
- at Grootebeek British Cemetery, Belgium
Digest of citation
The Germans were advancing behind a wave of suffocating gas on the 2nd May 1915 near Ypres in Belgium, Private Lynn, although severely affected by the deadly fumes, managed a to use his machine gun to great effect against the enemy. When he was unable to see them he placed the machine gun on a Parapet enabling him a more effective field of fire, checking any further advance by the enemy. His gallantry had a great effect on his comrades. He died the following day in agony from the effects of gas poisoning. More to be added
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
LYNN, John. (reg No. 760).
Private. 2nd Battalion. Lancashire Regiment.
London Gazetted on 29th June 1915.
Born in 1887 at Forest Hill, Essex.
Died of gas poisoning on 3rd May 1915 at St Julienne, Ypres, Belgium.
Memorial on grave at Grootebeek British Cemetery, Belgium.
Digest of Citation reads: The Germans were advancing behind a wave of suffocating gas on the 2nd May 1915 near Ypres in Belgium, Private Lynn, although severely affected by the deadly fumes, managed a to use his machine gun to great effect against the enemy. When he was unable to see them he placed the machine gun on a Parapet enabling him a more effective field of fire, checking any further advance by the enemy. His gallantry had a great effect on his comrades. He died the following day in agony from the effects of gas poisoning. More to be added.
Died of gas poisoning on 3rd May 1915 at St Julienne, Ypres, Belgium.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Grootebeek British Cemetery, Belgium
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