Pte 14596 Thomas John Lynch

• Age: 29
• From: Bootle
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 30th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Thomas John Lynch was born in Bootle, the only son of Thomas and his wife Sarah (née Whirk). Based on his stated age on enlistment he was born in early June 1886, but his birth was not registered until the last quarter of that year. The surname appears as Linch on some records, although at their marriage on the 07th September 1880 at St Matthew, Toxteth his father signed as Lynch. Thomas was a 25 year old mariner of 11 Wolfe Street, father Thomas deceased, whilst Sarah was aged 19, same address, father John a joiner. They had five children, one of whom died young. Thomas had an elder sister Ellen Jane, and younger sisters Emma Florence, Christina (who lived for 12 days), and Evelyn.

Before Thomas’ birth his mother is found on the 1881 Census aged 18, a sailor’s wife, with daughter Ellen Jane, 6 months, staying with her parents John and Sarah Whirk, both born in Wigtownshire, Scotland,at Wolfe Street, Toxteth Park.

By the time of the 1891 Census they have moved to Bootle, and are living at 55 Wadham Road. His father is aged 36, born in America, is a sailor, mother Sarah id 28; they have three children living with them; Ellen, 10, Thomas, 4, and Emma, 2. The surname is recorded as Lynch, changed to Linch. 

In 1901 they have moved a short distance away and are found at 33 Beatrice Street, Bootle. His father, 45, birthplace San Fransisco, is a foreman stevedore, his mother is 38. They have four children in the household; Ellen, 20, is a dressmaker, Thomas, 14, is working as an office boy (port), Emma is 11 and Evelyn 7. 

In 1906 San Francisco was devastated by a major earthquake, causing fires, killing over 3,000 people and destroying over 80% of the city.  Any of his father’s family there would have been significantly affected.

The 1911 Census shows the family have moved and are living at 65 Clare Road, Bootle, Liverpool. His father Thomas aged 55, born 1856 occupation, assistant foreman stevedore who now advises that he was born in Liverpool (different from earlier Census records). His wife Sarah is aged 49, born 1862 no occupation and was born in Liverpool. Their children were all born in Bootle. They have been married for thirty one years and have had five children of which one had died, three of their surviving children are in the household; Thomas aged 24, born 1887 is a clerk for a steamship company, Emma aged 21, born 1890 is a dressmaker and Evelyn aged 17, born 1894 is a shorthand typist for a publishing company.   

His eldest sister Ellen is married and lives in Bolton.

He enlisted on the 31st August 1914 at Seaforth as Private 14596,  joining the 13th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regimentand. He gave his age as 27 years and 84 days and his occupation as a porter. He was described as being five feet six and three quarter inches tall, weighed 119lbs, 34” chest, with a fresh complexion, and grey eyes. He stated his religion as Church of England. He gave his next of kin as his parents at 22 Keble Road, Bootle.

05.9.14 Posted to the 4th Battalion K.L.R.

Oct 1914 Posted back to the 13th Bn KLR.

12.9.15: At Aldershot. Overstaying his leave from 9.30pm 12/9/15 to 7.30pm 14/9/15. Deprived five days pay and forfeit three days pay.

26.9.15: Embarked for France with his battalion.

20.2.16: Sick.- Varicocele sent to 20 Casualty Clearing Station.

26.2.16: Return to duty.

01.4.16: Ruptured varicocele to C.C.S. Admitted to hospital at Boulogne.

13.4.16: Base duties at Etaples.

27.5.16: Influenza To 87 Field Ambulance.

May/June 16: His health overall during this period was extremely poor, with bouts of influenza, pyrexia, myalgia and other ailments undiagnosed. He was treated in hospitals at Wimereux, Boulogne and Le Havre. 

18.6.16: Transferred to 14 General Hospital, Boulogne.

11.7.16: Etaples reinforcements.

16.7.16: Joined 20th Battalion.

Thomas was killed in action on the 30^th July 1916, aged 29, at the village of Guillemont, France during the Somme Offensive.

The 20^th King’s Battalion Diary records:

“At 4.45am prompt the attack was launched. Unfortunately, a thick mist prevailed and it was impossible to see more than 10 yards ahead. This continued until about 6 o’clock when it lifted slightly, but it was still too hazy and impossible to see what was happening 100 yards ahead. This being so, it was not surprising to find that the attacking waves were experiencing great difficulty in maintaining connection.”

At 6am, Lt. RE Melly, No.1 Company, reported that his men had taken the German Maltz Horn trench.

At 6.30am, 2/Lt. CP Moore reported that he had 150 men, 4 Stokes Mortars and 2 Lewis Guns, but he was the only officer. He also said that due to the fog, both his “flanks were in the air” i.e. he was not in contact with neighbouring troops.

At 9.10am, Moore was still not in contact at his flanks, and now he had only 75 men, he had sent out 2 patrols and neither not returned. Later Moore established communication with the French on his right.

Around 10.00am, 2/Lt Musker reported that he had just over a company with him, but his left flank was suffering from German machine gun fire. Later he reported that he had over 30 casualties from the machine gun fire. His flanks were also “in the air”. No contact was made with this party until the remnants returned around 9.30pm, all runners sent were killed or missing. The War Diary states that this group had: ”held the ground won all day, and this permitted the consolidation of the ground won on the Maltz Horn ridge with little interference from the enemy”.

Relief for 20/Kings had been planned for 11.00pm, but it was 5.00am on the 31st July before it took place, ending a tragic day for the Liverpool Pals.

Casualties for 20^th Battalion were 16 Officers and 357 Other Ranks

When darkness fell on the battlefield the 30^th Division held a line from the railway on the eastern side of Trones Wood , southwards and including Arrow Head Copse, to east of Maltz Horn Farm. On this line the division was relieved by the 55^th Division during the early hours of the 31^st July. 

The events of 30^th July 1916 were regarded at the time as Liverpool’s blackest day. There follows an extract from The History of the 89^th Brigade written by Brigadier General Ferdinand Stanley which gives an indication of the events of the day.

Guillemont

Well the hour to advance came, and of all bad luck in the world it was a thick fog; so thick that you couldn’t see more than about ten yards. It was next to impossible to delay the attack – it was much too big an operation- so forward they had to go. It will give some idea when I say that on one flank we had to go 1,750 yards over big rolling country. Everyone knows what it is like to cross enclosed country which you know really well in a fog and how easy it is to lose your way. Therefore, imagine these rolling hills, with no landmarks and absolutely unknown to anyone. Is it surprising that people lost their way and lost touch with those next to them? As a matter of fact, it was wonderful the way in which many men found their way right to the place we wanted to get to. But as a connected attack it was impossible.

The fog was intense it was practically impossible to keep direction and parties got split up. Owing to the heavy shelling all the Bosches had left their main trenches and were lying out in the open with snipers and machine guns in shell holes, so of course our fellows were the most easy prey.

It is so awfully sad now going about and finding so many splendid fellows gone.

His parents learned of his death over six weeks later, posting on 19th August 1916 in the Liverpool Echo:

“July 30, killed in action, aged 29 years, Private Thomas J. Lynch (Pals), the dearly-loved and only son of Thomas and Sarah Lynch, 22, Keble Road, Bootle.”

His death was also reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on Saturday 09 September 1916: 

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916. 

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

He earned his three medals.

In November 1916 his parents were notified that there were no personal effects of Thomas’ to be sent.

His Army pay and a War Gratuity of £8-10s went to his father.

His family placed a Memorial notice in the Liverpool Echo on the 30th July 1918:

LYNCH - In sad but loving memory of Private THOMAS JOHN (Pals), only son of Mr. and Mrs. Lynch, 23 Keble Road, Bootle, killed in action July 30 1916. 

The family suffered further loss when daughter Emma died in January 1919, aged 29.

In 1919 his father provided information on Thomas’ living relatives: Evelyn was living at home at 22 Keble Road;  Mrs. Knussen (Ellen Jane) lived in Clarence Street, Bootle.

In February 1920 the Imperial War Graves Commission received an enquiry (presumably from the family) concerning the location of the grave of 14596 Pte. T.J. Lynch, 13th attached 20th/K.L.R.  A handwritten note states, “No trace of creation of grave”.

His father died in 1927, aged 71.

A pension card dated 12th April 1930 in the name of his mother at “Keavil”, Nightingale Road, Rickmansworth, Herts. does not specify whether a pension was awarded. 

His mother, date of birth 03rd February 1863, appears on the 1939 Register at 2 Burlington Gardens, Chiswick. She is living with her married daughter Ellen J. Knussen.

She died, aged 83, in 1946. 

Thomas John is also remembered on the Memorials:

Bedford Road School Old Boys Memorial, Bootle.

Liverpool’s Hall of Remembrance, Panel 65 Right 

Also on the family gravestone in Bootle Cemetery with his sister Emma and his father - 

             ALSO THOMAS JOHN

         BROTHER OF THE ABOVE

KILLED IN ACTION ON THE SOMME

    JULY 30, 1916, AGED 29 YEARS

We currently have no further information on Thomas John Lynch, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.