John Lynn (VC) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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) Wieltje, Ypres salient, Belgium |
| Buried |
Vlamertinghe Churchyard (grave lost)
Memorial headstone in Grootebeek British Cemetery, Reningelst |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1901 - 1913, 1914 - 1915 |
| 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 was an English soldier who showed incredible bravery during World War I. He was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), which is the highest award for courage in the face of the enemy given to British and Commonwealth forces. He was also known as Jackie Lynn.
John Lynn was a Private in the 2nd Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers, a part of the British Army. He was 27 years old when he performed the brave act that earned him the Victoria Cross.
Contents
Bravery in the Face of Danger
The Gas Attack at Ypres
On May 2, 1915, near Ypres, Belgium, a terrible event happened during World War I. German forces launched an attack using a new and frightening weapon: poison gas. This gas created deadly fumes that made it very hard to breathe and see.
Lynn's Courageous Stand
Even though the deadly gas made him almost unable to breathe, Private Lynn kept fighting. He bravely handled his machine gun, firing it effectively at the advancing enemy. When the gas made it impossible to see the enemy, he quickly moved his machine gun higher up a wall of earth (called a parapet). This allowed him to fire more accurately.
His amazing courage stopped the enemy from advancing further. Private Lynn's actions greatly inspired his fellow soldiers during this very difficult time. Sadly, he died the next day, on May 3, 1915, because of the gas poisoning.
Honoring a Hero
The Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the most important award for bravery in the British and Commonwealth armed forces. It is given to soldiers who show extreme courage when facing the enemy. John Lynn's actions were a perfect example of this kind of bravery. His Victoria Cross is now on display at the Fusilier Museum in Bury, Lancashire.
Other Awards and Memorials
Besides the Victoria Cross, John Lynn also received another important award: the Cross of the Order of St. George, 4th Class, from Russia.
John Lynn was originally buried in Vlamertinghe Churchyard. However, his grave was lost during later battles. A special memorial headstone has been placed in Grootebeek British Cemetery in Reningelst, Belgium. This stone remembers his sacrifice and bears a touching message: "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".
