Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Rev. Paul Lynch passed peacefully away on the 6th inst. at Leura, N.S.W., where he had been living for a number of years in broken health consequent upon the terrible effects of gassing received at the war. Rev. T. Vaughan, of Katoomba, attended him in his last illness. Fr. Lynch, born in Ireland, studied at Mt. Melleray, and later at the Sacred Heart Monastery, Kensington, N.S.W., where, after his ordination, he was professor and missioner. At the outbreak of war he volunteered his services as chaplain, and was one of the original Anzacs. Victim of a gas attack, he returned to Australia and exercised his ministry at Helidon, in the Archdiocese of Brisbane, but his poor health obliged him to reside at Leura,on the Blue Mountains, for the latter part of his life. Eight chaplains and a large number of returned soldiers were present at the Solemn Requiem and obsequies celebrated by the Rev.A. J. Goodman, M.S.C. The Right Rev. Mgr. King preached the panegyric.
The living relatives of the deceased are Dr. J. Lynch, of Johannesburg, South Africa; Rev. C. Lynch, Brisbane; two sisters in religion, and Miss Mary O'Leary.

Advocate Thursday 21 October 1937 page 16

Father Paul Lynch Dead
A Brave War Chaplain
THE LATE FATHER PAUL LYNCH.
Rev. Father Paul Lynch passed peacefully away at his residence, 'Knockna-nuss,' Leura, on Wednesday, 6th inst. He was fortified by all the rites of the Church and attended in his last illness by the devoted Sisters of the Little Company of Mary. Rev. Father T. Vaughan, the parish priest of Katoomba, was a constant visitor, and his ministrations brought the greatest consolation to the dying priest. Father Paul Lynch was the son of Joseph Lynch, accountant of the Royal Navy and was born in County Cork, Ireland, 56 years ago. He commenced his early studies for the priesthood with the monks of Mt. Melleray, Ireland, and completed his theological course at the Sacred Heart Monastery, Kensington, N.S.W. He was ordained 31 years ago at St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney by Cardinal Moran. His only living relatives are Dr. James Lynch, of Johannesburg, South Africa; Rev. Father C. Lynch, Brisbane; two sisters in religion, one in the south of France and the other at Natal, South Africa; and Miss Mary O'Leary, a cousin. After filling successfully the position of professor and missioner, Father Lynch volunteered for service with the Australian Imperial Forces at the outbreak of the Great War. As a chaplain he endeared himself to all who had the privilege to meet him. He was fearless in the discharge of his duties, and his reckless bravery in the firing line rendered him a victim to a deadly gas attack, which severely affected his health. He bore this living martyrdom with amazing patience, and never complained. He was one of the original Anzacs. Their names may be forgotten by a thoughtless world as they pay the awful toll of war in their wrecked bodies, but they are enshrined in the hearts of those who campaigned with them. Upon returning from the war he accepted an appointment in the Archdiocese of Brisbane, and was stationed at Helidon for about seven years. His health broke down, and he retired to Leura, where he spent the remainder of his life.

The Requiem Mass.
Eight chaplains and a large number of returned soldiers were present at the solemn Requiem and obsequies for Father Lynch. The celebrant of the Mass was Rev. Father A.R. Goodman, M.S.O., an original Anzac; the office of deacon was filled by Very Rev. Father J.Power M.S.C. (Superior, Sacred Heart Monnstery, Kensington) ; the sub-deacon was Rev. Father R. Wynne, Katoomba. Right Rev. Monsipnor T. King, P.P., P.A., O.B.E. (senior chaplain to the Australian Imperial Forces), presided.Rev. Father E. McAuliffe, P.P., O.B.E., officiated at the cemetery. Besides the officiating priests, the following clergy were present: Chaplains: Rev. Fathers J.Gilbert. M.S.C.. M.C., C. Murphy, J. Halpin,P.P., W. Gallagher, B.A., and P. Donovan, M.S.C.The Sacred Heart Fathers wore represented byVery Rev. Fathers Power (Superior), Rev. Fathers M. J. Ryan, F. Tyler, Leo Dalton, F.Kenny, and D. Morris. Tho parochial clergy present were Roy. Fathers T. Vaughan, P.P., J. McKay, W. J. Fahy, D. Ryan, P. Whelan and C.Donovan. In the big congregation there were Sisters of Charity, Sisters of the Little Company of Mary,Sisters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, and Sisters of St.. Joseph. The nursing staffs of the Blue Mountains were represented by Nurse Hughes (acting for Matron Richards, of Anzac Hospital, Katoomba), Nurse Eville (Cambowarra Private Hospital), and Nurse Cantwell. Others present were the Mayor of Katoomba (Alderman W. C. Soper), Superintendent Davis (Katoomba Ambulance), the president of the B.M.D.A.M. Hospital, Rev. Mr. Leese (Congregational Church) and Mrs. Leese, Rev. Dixon Hudson (Church of England), the president of Katoomba R.S. and S.I.L.A. (Mr. F. Juergens), Aldermen White and Bailoy (Katoomba), Mr. William Gibson (Blue Mountains Transport Co.),Mr. H. Drake ('Katoomba Daily'), Mr. J.Maddock ('Blue Mountain Times'), Mrs. Leslie Wade, Mrs. G. Corr, Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Bateman, Mrs. Shcchy, Mrs. Oearin, Mrs. Monaghan, Mrs. Flynn, Mr. and Mrs. W. O'Keoffe, Mrs. Rogers, Misa Easton, Miss O'Keeffe, Mr.Oabley, Mr. Relton, Mrs. Dillano, and Misses Brosnan. Every religious denomination, and men and women from every walk of life, paid their reverent tribute of respect to Father Paul Lynch. The Children of Mary of Mt. St. Mary's Ladies' College and St. Canice's Primary School formed a guard of honour while the cortege moved along Katoomba-street. Returned soldiers formed the guard of honour from the church to the street, and marched in procession to the cemetery to pay their last respects to a gallant comrade.

A Gallant Padre.
At the conclusion of the Mass, Right Rev. Monsignor T. King, delivered a most impressive and inspiring panegyric. Taking for his text, 'I know thy works and thy labour and thy patience ' (Apoc. 2), he said:Truly can I speak those words today about my friend who now lies lifeless before me. The sight of death always mellows the feelings of the living towards the dead — a tribute that they have gone from the midst of the daily turmoil of life, and are now beyond the pale of everything that is commonplace and trivial, for such is the majesty that belongs to death. Then it is, that the departed soul, stands out in clear relief against the background of the few short years of its brief term upon this earth, and in a flash, we realise the value of the life that has been closed and the loss of a generous and noble soul to the mortals who remain and lament its passing. This truth is especially marked b,y the death of a priest, and it is such an event which summons us here today.
It is 31 years ago since Father Paul Lynch was ordained at St. Mary's Cathedral by the late Cardinal Moran. Born in Ireland in 1881, Paul Lynch dedicated his life to the service of God, and after his course of Philosophy at Mount Melleray came to Australia and entered upon his theological studies at the Monastery of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, Kensington. After his ordination he was appointed to the professional staff of that monastery, and was serving his Order and the Church in such a capacity when he voluntarily submitted himself for spiritual duty on the field of action. Those who knew Father Paul Lynch can readily understand the motives which directed him to offer himself for such an arduous work. On September 1, 1915, Father Lynch received his commission as a chaplain with the Australian Imperial Force, and embarked for Gallipoli. After the withdrawal of the troops from Gallipoli, Father Lynch, with his fellow-chaplains, ardently threw himself into the spiritual preparation of the Australian soldiers during these intensive months of military preparation for their entrance into another theatre of the war. We priests who were detailed by our ecclesiastical superiors for the spiritual ministrations on behalf of the troops on active service were not concerned with the war — its cause, its deadly prosecution, of its ultimate issue. We were alone concerned with the eternal salvation of the souls of those who were enduring the bitter hardships of the conflict, and to our work we ever joined our prayers that peace would come upon the world. That peace has not yet come, but even so we who saw the ravages and extinction of the fruits of the earth and God's creatures, still pray in the depths of our hearts. that the scourge of war will not descend again upon mankind. I Solemnly say these deliberate things today to you, since there are some who falsely' think that those who served in the circumstances of the past great war, having witnessed its destruction, have been imbued with a militaristic spirit. It was, therefore, with feelings of pity for afflicted humanity that Father Lynch went to France in 1916 to do, in that country his spiritual work for the men serving with the 1st Infantry Brigade. The rigours of the winter of 1916 urged that he be recalled from the line, and placed for service at Weymouth, England, where there was one of the major depots for the Australian soldiers in the United Kingdom. The progress of the war had now begun to take its toll of everyone enduring its hardships, and, as senior chaplain, I found that I had to call upon Father Lynch, after his recuperation, to take the choice of either returning to Australia or going to France once more with the troops of the line. I well remember his answer, and yesterday, after I heard the news of his death, I turned over the records of his career in the Australian Imperial Force and touched once more those documents, which are now the human leaves, of the history of this gallant and generous soul who, after the strain and stress and the ordeal of human suffering, now rest in eternal peace. May I be pardoned if I quote for you the very words I wrote in those fateful days to our dear friend and noble-hearted priest. Gassed in France.On November 15, 1917, I wrote: My Dear Paul, — I am sending you this word to tell you that I have submitted your name for appointment to the 9th Infantry Brigade, vice':'- the Rev. Charlee Murphy, who has been severely wounded. I have no one else, Paul, for the part, and I look forward to you to carry the same success In the discharge of your work with this new appointment as has accompanied your work in the A.I.F. up to the present. This is not authority for you to move; It Is simply an apprisal for you that you will be on the move, and to prepare the necessary affairs. God bless you, Paul, in your new appointment- (Signed) T. J. KING, Senior Chaplain, Australian Imperial Force. Two days later, I received his acknowlegment. On November 17, 1917, he wrote: I received your letter this afternoon, and will be ready, I hope, when the word comes. I may say It Is my desire, should It be God's Holy Will, to go out with the boys — no better death can be desired. I only hope my health will stand the winter. You know how I stand, and I leave it altogether In your hands.The rest of that letter gave me an account of the work which had to be done for nearly 3000 men, and earnestly asked me to send a priest who would be fit in health for the onerous work associated with that big depot at Weymouth, as well as the hospital visitation of 14 hospital huts and those larger hospitals in the town itself. Soon afterwards he went to France, and after a very strenuous but short period of intense work I received this wire from him, dated June 13, 1918: Gassed on the 25th May; would like to see you.
I went to his side, and found him suffering severely from the terrible effects of the gassing, and so commenced his long martyrdom, which, after the tedious years, death ended only a few hours ago. We all strove to save him, and Harrington Sainsbury, the famous F.R.C.P. of Wimpole-street, wrote certifying 'that the base of the left lung was affected,' and'that the condition was one which was likely to be slow in healing.' Climatic conditions were important, and South California was recommended by the specialist as suitable for the stricken priest. On October 29, 1918, the Superior-General of the Society of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Rome wrote freely commending Father Lynch on his restoration to health to a Bishop of a diocese in which there would be suitable conditions of climate for the injured chaplain. Just one month before the arrival of the Superior-Generals letter I sent my valedictory to Father Lynch, and on September 26, 1918, I wrote to my faithful comrade: It gives me pleasure, on the eve of your departure, to extend to you this cordial expression of my approbation of the good work you have done as chaplain with the Australian Imperial Force. On the 1st of September, 1915, you received your commission, and having seen service on Galllpoli and in France. I have no hesitation in saying that the work you performed on those parts produced good fruit and the experience which you have gained by such Service will be most beneficial to you in your future work, wherever It awaits you. For this service, as well as that which you have rendered in camps In Egypt and England, I now, as your senior chaplain, tender my most sincere acknowlegment. I hope the voyage will remove every trace of your illness, and that many happy years In the sacred ministry are in store for you.Noble Sufferer. Happy for us that a merciful Providence hides the future from our eyes. My good wishes were doomed, and the past years are their commentary. Never once, for close on 2O years, did the sufferer complain, but it seemed as if his bodily anguish only broadened the deep wells of his human sympathy and charity for his fellow-men. Almost at times, he strained to breaking point the bonds of that charity, and now that time has closed for ever over his name and memory, eternity hat opened its wide gates to receive his generous soul. During the long course of his mortal illness, Father Paul Lynch gave no sign of bitterness or regret became of the fetters which war had forged for him mortal pain, but rather as a true priest he had long since offered his pains, and the disappointment which attends shattered hopes, as condign expiation of those ills which flesh is heir to. You who hear my words today, spoken simply in his memory, will be moved, I hope, to pray for his eternal repose. He was valiant in health — more so in sickness and suffering, and as his broken body is being born away, remember his buoyant soul — charitable, sacrificing and generous, which is now in the presence of the Eternal Father. Whilst uttering our prayers for him, let us be mindful of what I and my fellow-priests around me say to you today — we who served your fathers, husbands, sons and brothers with the saving Sacraments of redemption on the field of action: 'And we desire that every one of you show forth the same carefulness to the accomplishing of hope unto the end: that you become not slothful, but followers of them, who through faith and patience shall inherit the promises.' (Heb. 6 11.12.) Further, we implore you in these perilous days which threaten your faith and the peace of nations: 'Not to lose your confidence, which hath a great reward. For patience is necessary for you, that, doing the Will of God, you may receive the promise.' (Heb. 10, 35.36''.) 'Look to yourselves, that you lose not the things which you have wrought: but that ,you may receive a full reward.' (2, John 1.)In all sincerity I give you those words of warning and of hope, as I reverently regard the catafalque upon which rests all that is mortal of our dead comrade. His fellow-priests, who, together with him, offered the Holy Sacrifice and dispensed the Sacraments on the field of action, now, in his memory, stand silently and affectionately 'at the salute.' His faithful associates in religion — the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart — reverently recall the years he spent with them within their hallowed walls. The faithful people, who always held him in pious and venerated esteem, now take their last farewell of him. Father Paul Lynch — 'thou a priest forever according to the order of Melchisedech' (Psalm 109, 6) — we commend with Christian confidence thy immortal soul' to the only God, our Saviour Jesus Christ Our Lord,' to whom 'be glory and magnificence, empire and power, before all ages, and now, and for all ages of ages. Amen.'(Judo 1, 24.25.) — May he rest in peace. Rev. Father T. Vaughan, P.P., very efficiently arranged everything in connection with the Requiem and the obsequies.

The Catholic Press Thursday 14 October 1937 page 25