Rt Rev Mons. James Benedict Lynch

James was born in Polladooey, Aughnacliffe, on or around 3 May 1903; his father, Michael was a National School teacher. He joined the priesthood and later went to Queensland, Australia. James's brother Andrew also joined the priesthood and in the 1940s was serving as a priest near Drumcong, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. 

In 1937, Fr James was in Hendra, Brisbane and founded the Our Lady Help of Christians school in January 1937. 

Fr James made himself available for the war effort in December 1940 as a 4th Class Chaplain, but was taken on strength on the 18 Mar 1941 at Kelvin Grove, Queensland. He was confirmed as a 3rd Class Chaplain in January 1943. When in Australia appears to have largely been based in Camp Pell in Melbourne, although he is recorded as having served just over 3 years overseas, primarily in Casualty Clearing Stations. He was present at the Kokoda Track Campaign (Jul-Nov 1942). The Australian War Memorial website has a photograph of Fr Lynch saying Mass at Dumpu, Ramu River Area, New Guinea. He was well-regarded by the men under his care, as evidenced by an obituary in The Pioneer Newsletter of 1967 (page 3). 

Fr James appears to have returned briefly to Ireland and the UK in 1944. He later returned to Australia and was released from War service in August 1945. Fr Lynch died in Hendra on the 1 Nov 1966. 

Link to Find A Grave entry; Link to Civil Record of Birth; link to Service Record, National Archives of Australia; Wikitree biography entry;