-H.M.S. Hood Crew Information-
H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour
Memorials to Men Lost in the Sinking of Hood, 24th May 1941
We will remember them
Chainbar divider

In Remembrance of
James Francis Lynch

Photo of
Date of birth: 5th August 1909
Place of birth: Carndonagh, County Donegal, Irish Republic
Parents: Michael and Hannah Lynch
Wife: Elizabeth Lynch
Previous occupation: Clerk
Service: Royal Navy
Rank: Supply Petty Officer
Service Number: P/MX 46884
Joined Hood: 30th August 1935 (Leading Supply Assistant)
Left Hood: 24th May 1941 (loss of ship) (Supply Petty Officer)
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Biographical Information: James Francis Lynch was born to Michael Lynch and his wife, Hannah. James was one of seven children and his father Michael was a local police officer on the Inishowen Peninsula, County Donegal, the largest peninsula on the island of Ireland. James' father died before his family were raised and it fell to the eldest son, Charlie, to provide and make a living to support his brothers and sisters.

At partition of Ireland the family moved from Donegal to Limavady, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, where Charlie purchased licensed premises. The income from the pub supported the family.

James Francis entered the Royal Navy on the 29th of November 1927, just three months after his 18th birthday. Having already begun a career as a clerk in civilian life, he transferred his administrative skills into the naval environment as a member of the Supply Branch. In 1935, he joined Hood as a Leading Supply Assistant and during his six years on board was advanced to Senior Rating status as a Supply Petty Officer.

James Francis Lynch was married to Elizabeth. He lost his life in the sinking of HMS Hood at the age of 31. He was survived by a daughter Juliet who, on qualifying as a nurse, made her home in the West Indies. His grand children are in the medical profession. James Lynch's sacrifice is still remembered among his family members and descendants.




History of ships served in and ratings held:


Date FromDate toShipRatingSource
29th November 19276th January 1929Victory IISupply AssistantADM362/57
7th January 19298th July 1930FuriousSupply AssistantADM363/612
9th July 19303rd October 1930Victory II - IVSupply AssistantADM363/612
4th October 193025th November 1930Constance (Cairo)Supply AssistantADM363/612
26th November 193016th December 1930Cleopatra (Cairo)Supply AssistantADM363/612
17th December 19302nd January 1931Victory II - IVSupply AssistantADM363/612
3rd January 193124th May 1932VernonSupply AssistantADM363/612
25th May 19328th January 1934ResourceSupply AssistantADM363/612
9th January 193416th August 1934ResourceLeading Supply AssistantADM363/612
17th August 193422nd August 1934St. Angelo II (Dainty)Leading Supply AssistantADM363/612
23rd August 193412th October 1934Victory II (Dainty)Leading Supply AssistantADM363/612
13th October 193429th August 1935Victory IILeading Supply AssistantADM363/612
30th August 19356th August 1938HoodLeading Supply AssistantADM363/612
7th August 193824th May 1941HoodSupply Petty OfficerADM363/612

Additional Photographs
None at this time.




Hood Chapel, Church of St. John the Baptist, Boldre, Hampshire, England


Photos of the memorial








Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Southsea, Hampshire, England


Photos of the memorial







Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
'Register of Deaths of Naval Ratings' (data extracted by Director of Naval Personnel (Disclosure Cell), Navy Command HQ, 2009)
HIs great-niece, Caroline Weir (information, October 2019)
James's daughter, Juliet Roopnarinesingh (Photo, 2001)