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| File Reference |
MSP34REF9459
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| Name |
James Lynch |
| Gender |
male |
| Address detail |
| Street |
28 Usher's Quay, Dublin
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| County |
Dublin
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| Country |
Ireland
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| Address detail |
| Street |
28E Block, Oliver Bond House, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin
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| County |
Dublin
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| Country |
Ireland
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| Date of birth |
1883-05-03
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| Notes |
Date of death not recorded on file
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| Associated files in MSPA |
34SP9344; DP20861
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| Related files |
24SP9 (Joseph Lynch, brother)
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| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
None |
| Pension Claim |
Yes |
| Award Pension |
No |
| Army Pensions Act 1923/1953 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
No |
| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF9459 James Lynch.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34SP9344 James Lynch.pdf
Scanned/digital copyDP20861 James Lynch.pdf |
| File dates |
01 November 1935 - 26 March 1985
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| Subject Information |
Archivist’s Note: Likely that subject is related to Joseph Lynch (24SP9) of 28 Usher’s Quay (same address).
File relates to James Lynch’s unsuccessful applications for a military service pension under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934. Applicant claimed active service in the service periods between 24 April 1916 and 24 June 1916. He reapplied in the early 1950s but the application was abandoned as the subject did not appear at four separate interviews with the Advisory Committee.
James Lynch did not claim to have been a member of the Irish Volunteers but did support work during Easter Week 1916 for three or four days. He was not granted a military service pension or a 1916 Medal. While James Lynch did not claim for post 1916 service in his application form, he applied for a Service (1917-1921) Medal and was granted one in 1947. Applicant was subsequently in receipt of a Special Allowance from 1952 to 1953. Following investigation in 1953, it was found that Lynch had not been a member of the IRA during the War of Independence (January 1919 – July 1921) and was asked to return the medal.
James Lynch states that he arrived at Church Street Bridge on lunchtime at Monday 24 April 1916 and helped to erect barricades and did unarmed scout duty for Irish Volunteers (mainly members of 1 Battalion, Dublin Brigade). Reference Arthur J Neilan (MSP34REF1756) states that he saw the applicant “assisting in the erection of barricades”. Subject says that he stayed overnight in a tenement house (7 Church Street) on Monday night. He was engaged in similar work on Tuesday.
On Wednesday 26 April, the applicant states that British forces came from Queen Street to launch an attack to retake the Mendicity Institute. They came under fire from Irish Volunteers at Church Street Bridge and retreated. James Lynch claims that he went to Usher’s Lane beside Ganly’s wool stores and recovered 4 or 5 rifles and 600-700 rounds of ammunition left behind by British army soldiers. He says that he handed them over to Peadar Clancy (1D412) at Church Street Bridge (corroborated by reference Andrew Dowling MSP34REF1656) and was in possession of a rifle for a period.
James Lynch states that on Wednesday evening or Thursday (both given) he was arrested at Usher’s Street by British forces and detained in the Watch House, Royal Barracks, Dublin Arbour Hill, Dublin and Richmond Barracks, Dublin. He says that he was then deported to Wakefield Prison, England and interned until 24 June 1916. A number of reference state that they met the applicant in Wakefield Prison.
File includes references in support of the subject’s claim from Arthur J Neilan (1938); Mrs Ellen English (1938); S Prendergast (1938); P Kilmartin (1938); Andrew Dowling (1938); Michael J Staines (1938); Sean Derrington (1938; 1950); Donal O'Hannigan (Donnchadh Ua Ceallagí) (1938); Patrick Costello (1938) and John Farrell (1950); transcript of a sworn statement given before the Advisory Committee by the applicant on 08 June 1938; handwritten notes of discussion with IRA verifying officer P Holohan (21 October 1938; 12 September 1938; 08/09 February 1939); representations by SC O’Ryan TD (1941); correspondence between applicant and Seamus Doyle, Battalion Secretary, 1 Battalion, Old Dublin Brigade, IRA (1938); postcard titled “View of my cell in Wakefield Prison [English Prison Scene, IRA Prisoners, 1916]” with “C2 38” written in pen” [1916] and two black and white group photographs of 1 Battalion, Dublin Brigade, IRA officers (1940s or 1950s).
Subject’s application for a Service (1917-1921) Medal states that he was attached to G and L Companies, 1 Battalion, Dublin Brigade, IRA until June 1921. File includes form signed by Andrew Dowling (1946) and Seamus Doyle (1946) and letter from James Brennan (1952). Andrew Dowling states in a follow-up letter that he signed the form because he “took it for granted that [Lynch] had service up to 1921 with G Company” after speaking to Holohan on unspecified date following the rising.
File DP20861 relates to subject's initial successful application for a Special Allowance under the Army Pensions Acts in respect of illness or disability. It is stated on file that James Lynch was awarded a Service (1917-1921) Medal which gave him the opportunity to apply for a Special Allowance but was informed in 1953 that “from further investigation” that it was not possible to prove he was a member of the IRA “continuously for the period of three months ended on the 11th July 1921” and the Service (1917-1921) was deemed void. File includes letter from former employer (Petrie Brothers Limited) stating that subject did temporary work for them from 1944 to 1948 (1951); reference letters from Michael Carroll (1951) and Thomas Moroney (1951); copy of subject’s birth certificate (03 May 1883); copy of subject’s marriage certificate (12 January 1903); medical report; signed handwritten reports from Social Welfare investigating officers regarding applicant’s financial circumstances (1951) (closed); copy of birth certificate for Bridge Anne Lynch (née Doherty) (26 November 1882).
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