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Rita Lynch (1913-1940)

WaterfordTallow (Waterford)

Rita Lynch died aged 27, killed in the London Blitz at Marble Arch Subway on 16/9/40. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website gives her as in St.Marylebone Cemetery, and as daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Lynch, of Ballynoe, Tallow, Co. Waterford, Irish Republic. Her address is given as Grosvenor House, Park Lane.

Also of the same Grosvenor House address, and killed at the same time in the same place by the same bomb was Martha O'Leary, aged 24. Martha was a daughter of Martin and Annie O'Leary, of Coxtown, Ardrahan, Co. Galway, Irish Republic; wife of Cpl. Pocknell, R.A.F.

Martha had only married by father's cousin Douglas Pocknell on 17/3/40, the previous Spring, and she worked as a lady's maid or house parlour maid at the Grosvenor.

Rita was a witness at Douglas and Martha's marriage. They were probably good friends, and died together.

I have recently got in touch with Martha's family in Coxtown through IrelandXO, exchanging information and photographs. One photo is probably Douglas in uniform with Martha in London, and another photo, probably taken the same day, with Martha in the same dress with similar background, has Martha with another woman. We wonder if that is Rita.

If anyone from Rita Lynch's family would like to get in touch we would be pleased to exchange information, and show them the photo to see if it is Rita. We aren't sure where Rita is buried as we haven't spotted her as being in the same communal civilian war grave with name on the memorial as Martha.

Best wishes,

Trevor Pocknell

 

IrelandXO member

3 replies

Hi Trevor,

Thank you very much for sharing this information. I hope that someone who knows of Rita?s family makes a connection with you.

All the best with your research,

Genealogy Support

 

 

 

IrelandXO member

Hi There, I have been doing some research on behalf of my mother and have established that I am the grandson of Rita Lynch. As of yet I have not been able to find any photos at all of Rita, so would not be able to verify that it is her in the picture, but would still like to see it and share with my mother (she has never seen any images of her mother either) on the off chance that it is her! We are still digging and may be able to verify later.

My email address is m_obm@hotmail.com should you wish to get in touch,

 

Kind Regards

Mark O'Brien-Moody

m_obm@hotmail.com

Hi Mark,

I've only just seen your reply - better late than never!

I've emailed you with photos.

Best wishes,

Trevor

trevorpocknell…

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