William Joseph Lynch, born on 27 September 1876 at Seadown, was the son of Irish born John and Hanora (Nora) Lynch. He was drawn in the Third Ballot and called up for service. In March 1917 he appealed his call up, saying that he was a shearer and general farm labourer; he had to help support his aged parents; he had one brother at home but he was ill. He was allowed till April 10, to dig a few acres of potatoes for his father and a few acres for himself. At the time of enlisting, he was a shearer, and said that six people were absolutely dependant on him. He appears to have put his age up 10 or 11 years. W. J. Lynch left Timaru for the Front on 11 April 1917, but he did not get to go overseas. Biography provided by the Timaru Museum SCRoll project. AWMM