Seaman Michael Lynch, Royal Naval Reserve, born 28th July 1887, at Windmill Lane, Youghal, County Cork, was the third child of Richard and Hannah Lynch (née Daly). Michael was from a long line of seafarers. 

His parents Richard and Hannah married 12th August 1883, Youghal. Richard’s father Michael was a seaman and Hannah’s father Patrick was a labourer. Richard’s mother was Catherine Cotter.

Michael’s grandfather Captain Michael Lynch was lost at sea when his ship the Brigantine Citizen, on voyage from Newport to Youghal with a cargo of coal, was wrecked on Saltee Island off the Wexford coast, in December 1895.

In 1901 the family were living in Murphy’s Row, Youghal. Richard was 40 years old and was a sailor. Richard and Hannah had 8 children. Mary K. 16, John 15, Michael 13, Maggie 7, Lucy 4, Nellie 3, Richard 2 and Daniel 11 months.

By 1911 the family had moved to Buckley’s Lane, Youghal. Richard was employed as a fisherman and had seven children living at home. Three more children had been born since the last census: William, Christina and Ellen.

Michel Lynch enrolled in the Royal Naval Reserve on the 10th of August 1914. He was assigned to the Royal Naval Division, a hybrid formation of sailors, Royal Marines and soldiers. The sailors assigned to the RND were mostly surplus reservists, men for whom there were at the time no available berths with the navy afloat. The division fought at Antwerp in September – October 1914. In the haste to organise and move the units to Belgium, the vast majority of the Division went to war without even basic equipment such as packs, mess tins or water bottles. No khaki uniform was issued. They were armed with ancient charger-loading rifles, just days before embarking. At this stage they had no artillery, Field Ambulances or other ancillary units. The Germans took Antwerp on the 11th of October, with the RND withdrawing in confusion not long before the city fell.

Michael returned to England and was then assigned to the Laurentic on the 24th of November 1914 and remained with the ship till he lost his life in the tragic sinking.

Michael Lynch’s body was recovered and is buried in a mass grave in St Mura’s Churchyard, Fahan, County Donegal.

Sources:-
http://www.irishgenealogy.ie
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie
http://www.ancestry.com
http://www.wrecksite.eu/wrecksite.aspx
http://www.historynet.com
The British Newspaper Archive http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk