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Lynch , Colmer William Donald (C W D)

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Photo of Lynch Photo of Lynch
Identity
Person No.
14080
Service No.
Unknown
Last Name
Lynch 12
First Name
Colmer William Donald
Initials
C W D
Date of Birth
Unknown
Est. Birth Year
1881 (±1 yr) 416
Age at Death
35
Death Record
Date of Death
01 July 1916 190
Cause code
KIA 14,779
Killed in action
Cause of Death
Killed in action 14,653
Killed in action, at Fricourt (Somme). The events of July 1st were one of the great military blunders of the WWI and ever. The troops were supposed to attack after an artillery barrage that last 7 days and could be heard in London. However the British went for quantity rather than quality with respect to the munitions, 30% off shells either failed to explode or misfired and exploded as they left the gun killing the crew. Secondly the Army HQ decided instead of rushes, the men should march in rigid controlled lines allowing the German machines guns to be brought to bear. Lt.-Col. Colmer William Donald Lynch with his battalion advanced. The leading waves were cut down by rifle and machine gun fire, the supporting troops shot down by shrapnel shells. Musketier Karl Blenk of the 169th Regiment who were defending the village stated "You didn't have to aim, we just fired into them. If only they had run, they would have overwhelmed us". Some men made the village and their bodies were discovered when the Germans gave up the village in 1917. The regiment commenced the day with over 800 men and finished the day with 80 men and 4 officers. To quote Private Pearson, "We were two years in the making and ten minutes in the destroying"
Military Service
Rank
Lieutenant Colonel
Regiment
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 17
Unit
9th Bn. 44
Defence Force
UK 4,066
British forces
Location
Country
France 5,136
Locality
Somme 2,465
Cemetery
NORFOLK CEMETERY, BECORDEL-BECOURT 4
Grave Reference
I. B. 87. 1
Coordinates
49.99833, 2.6928 OSM
Memorial
Name plaque, one face (40 of 78 European names). Photo: John Dovey.
Names on Great War 1914-1918
Memorial
The Cenotaph at Victoria Falls (Northern Rhodesia Great War Memorial)
Location
Just inside the entrance to the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site, Livingstone, Zambia
Address
Victoria Falls World Heritage Site, Livingstone, Zambia
Coordinates
-17.9243, 25.8572 · OpenStreetMap
Panel
Great War 1914-1918
On the panel
Position on the panel will be added with photographs
Awards
Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
United Kingdom
Mentioned in Despatches (MID and Bar)
United Kingdom
1st MID: London Gazette, 1 January 1916, p. 48. 2nd MID: London Gazette, 15 June 1916, p. 5946.
Notes

Son of Mrs. M. Florence Lynch, of "Pareora," Stoke, Guildford, and the late Maj. Gen. William Wiltshire Lynch. His grandmother had been born on a sailing ship to Australia and married a Queensland MLA and Treasurer. His father was Maj.-Gen. William Wiltshire Lynch who died of cholera in India and served during the Indian Mutiny. His uncle Captain Douglas McLean died in the Boer War aged 37. ref. South African Roll of Honour 1914-1918

Research notes


13 Sep 2026: Northern Rhodesia Great War Memorial, Victoria Falls ("Cenotaph") -- Confirms exactly: Lt Col C.W.D. Lynch, D.S.O., King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 9th Bn. Named on the memorial's Great War 1914-1918 plaque.

Citations

DSO LG Sup 3 June 1916 pg. 5568 - "King's Birthday", 1st MID LG 1 January 1916 pg. 48, 2nd MID LG 15 June 1916 pg. 5946

LG Sup 3 June 1916 pg. 5568 p.5568
LG Sup 3 June 1916 pg. 5568 p.5568
Gazette page
LG 1 January 1916 pg. 48 p.48
LG 1 January 1916 pg. 48 p.48
Gazette page
LG 15 June 1916 pg. 5946 p.5946
LG 15 June 1916 pg. 5946 p.5946
Gazette page
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