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A GROUP OF 6th class children and their intrepid teacher from Parteen National School in Co Clare are trying to track down the family of a Corkman killed in the First World War to reunite them with a bronze plaque bearing his name.
Edward Lynch was one of four brothers to die in the conflict. A sergeant in the British army before the war, he was killed just before the brief Christmas truce on 21 December 1914.
His family would have been sent a bronze plaque, commonly referred to as a “Widow’s Penny”, along with the letter to inform them that Edward had died.
History enthusiast Cathal Crowe came across the engraved plaque on eBay, and decided it would be a good project for the children in his sixth class in Clare.
He told Patricia Messenger on C103′s Cork Today Show: “I thought it would be a fascinating project to try and reunite the family with the medal.”
Crowe and his class began to research everything they could about Lynch and found a myriad of details about the man, who died over 100 years ago.
“There was only one Edward Lynch from here who died in the war,” he said. “We tracked down his will, his medical records, his rank and where he died.”
Unfortunately, Lynch is a common name. His father died young, and Lynch’s mother married an O’Sullivan, which is also a very common name.
“We do know,” Crowe said, “that Edward Lynch was a Cork soldier from St Dominics Terrace in the city, which is near St Fin Barre’s Cathedral.”
Unfortunately for the Lynch-O’Sullivan family, Edward was not the only member of the family to die on the battlefield. Crowe believes that four siblings from the same family died during the war, with one of Edward’s brothers dying the exact same day.
Crowe had come across details surrounding Lynch when he happened across his World War One medal for sale on eBay.
He said: “I thought that was all wrong. This should be a sacred relic for a family. There’s no grave for this guy but someone was selling this on eBay. The only reason I bought it was to research it and give to his family.”
Really, Crowe and his class are looking to track down Lynch’s, O’Sullivans and anyone else who had relations in that area of Cork at the time who may know something to make contact so that Lynch’s family can come and claim his plaque.
There also some possible familial connections in West Cork that they have not yet been able to confirm.
Crowe concluded:
We’ve used modern technology to solve a very old mystery. We’re nearly there but the last hurdle will be the biggest one: finding the family.
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Absolutely no place for this at any sports ground. They’re a disgrace to their county & should be barred from venues for life
@samstheman: They were kids, give them a break.
@páraicS: To be fair in any other sport they would see some sort of ban. By not doing so the gaa are in some way allowing this behavior to spread.
I’m a similar note I saw an underage hurling game on my local park whilst walking my dog where there was a proper fight on the pitch between 2 players where they had to be separated. Neither was sanctioned( or even told to shake hands afterwards) that’s really poor behavior from the coaches
@páraicS: they weren’t ‘kids’ . Look at the footage. They were youths. And they were a disgrace. Pure thugs
@páraicS: big enough for kids. I stand by my comment. Then they got off with a caution. Joke, interestingly if they were Dubs what would you have to say?
@Anthony: what’s a youth? If I host an under 15s soccer match is it a game between a gang of youths?
@páraicS: I would say the people harassed or intimidated because of their carry on also deserve a break
@páraicS: Kids ? They were given Adult cautions, Kids my ass!
Imagine the damage there could have been done by their behaviour and come back and tell us to give them a break.
@thephantomshit: they were older than 15. Look at the footage.
@páraicS: Nope.
@páraicS: noisy disruptive teenagers can be a nuisance at games to spectators near them needing the Guards to be called. Responsibility called for.
@páraicS: cops should have given both of them a good clipping. Teach them some manners.
@páraicS: They got their break by not being charged, but why should paying spectators have to endure gobshyte behaviour from people at a match, regardless of age?
@John Kelly: bring back nidge, they need to be clipped.
Everyone is responsible for their own actions, I’d say their families are proud of them today. If u keep messing with fire u get burnt & these guys have a long way to go if they keep lighting fires.
@reg gordon: gaa use kid gloves wth onfield violence likewise wth thuggery on terraces
@Don Dealgan: the GAA didn’t let them go with an “adult caution” the Gardai did
@samstheman: talk a bit of sense. Don’t be trying to excuse this rowdyism. People like you add to the problem.
Too much Clonmel apple juice….
There seems to be a developing culture of phuckwits in the last year at hurling matches. I was at the Limerick match yesterday and there was a gang of aroud 40 neanderthals roaring out soccer chants for the whole match. These vermin have no place at hurling games and this must be nipped in the bud now.
@Ronan Sexton: People were singing songs at a match and you got upset? Think you need a new hobby.
@Seán Ó Murchú: No Sean, are yout comprehension skills that bad? There are night classes for that.
Why were Tipp fans beating up Tipp fans????
@Adolf Galland: drink
This isn’t the first time Tipperary supporters have been fighting each other at matches. There should be a ban on intoxicated people going into matches.
@Ed: when was d other time
Unbelievable they were let go.
Their actions both warranted being charged with public order offences, the little thug on the left in the video being the chief culprit, its an assault in broad daylight with hundreds of witnesses for christ’s sake.
points deduction for Tipp
@tubbsyf: you can have 17 points of you’re from Waterford
Ah sure it only a bit of banter
Yup 50 year old Saracens fans Nayo
If that was the Dubs.liveline would get 2 weeks out of it
Wildlings.
have your say