John Lynn

John Lynn
Drawing of Private Lynn's VC action from The War Illustrated, 24 July 1915.
Nickname(s)	Jackie Lynn
Born	1887 Forest Hill, London
Died	3 May 1915 (aged 27-28) Wieltje, Belgium
Buried at	Vlamertinghe Churchyard (grave lost) Memorial headstone in Grootebeek British Cemetery, Reningelst
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Private
Unit	The Lancashire Fusiliers
Battles/wars	World War I
Awards	Victoria Cross Distinguished Conduct Medal Cross of the Order of St. George, 4th Class (Russia)

John Lynn VC DCM (AKA 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.

He was about 28 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.^[1]

Lynn was also awarded the Cross of the Order of St. George, 4th Class (Russia).^[2]

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Fusilier Museum, Bury, Lancashire.

References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• VCs of the First World War - The Western Front 1915 (Peter F. Batchelor & Christopher Matson, 1999)

John Lynn's grave