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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterSCRC volunteer, Robert Browne.
Edward F. Lynch was born on January 1, 1923, in Bayonne, New Jersey. In 1940, according to that year's federal census, he was living with his parents (Michael and Elizabeth, both Irish immigrants), his sisters (Elizabeth, Catherine and Margaret), and a brother (Michael). When he was 20 years old, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II. Edward died on March 20, 2001. According to a published death notice, he worked as a laboratory supervisor for Exxon Corporation in Bayonne, New Jersey, for 45 years.
These papers mainly consist of correspondence sent to him by family and friends, most dating from 1943 to 1945. Also preserved are letters sent to other members of the Lynch family, notably to his mother Elizabeth in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
This collection includes letters, photographs, greeting cards, printed religious ephemera, artifacts, and other material pertaining to Edward Lynch of Bayonne, New Jersey while serving in Europe during World War II. The letters were written to him by family and friends. Other correspondence from Lynch's brothers, Joseph and Michael, to their parents, Elizabeth and Michael.
Some of the artifacts include parts of Edward's uniform, a military issued razor and mirror, and pieces of two Japanese planes that belonged to Edward's brother Joseph while serving as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific.
Series contains correspondence to Edward from June 1943 to February 1948. Typically, their content includes news of family, friends and his hometown, and convey - especially in the case of family members - their love and concern for him during his wartime service. Included with some of the letters or cards are newspaper clippings with information about what was happening in New Jersey. In few instances, writers sent news of the family's parish by enclosing a copy of its printed newsletter. Others sent him religious medals and, on one occasion, a printed card from two of his sisters saying they had attended the October 1943 "Patriotic Religious Service" held at New York's Polo Grounds, led by Archbishop Spellman. It appears that Edward's parents were Roman Catholics who reared their children to be Roman Catholics. An older brother, Joseph Lynch, was apparently a Roman Catholic priest who served as a chaplain during World War II.
Correspondence is arranged chronologically.
12/8/43, Peg NJ, Ed Fort Ord CA (includes photographs) Sending pictures taken when he was home, says to make sure he clarifies when showing them to friends that she's his sister [as he's holding her in a picture], sends address of a friend serving in North Africa [Thomas Hurley]--address is Postmaster NY, couldn't find knife he wants for Christmas so going to hold off until they can hear from him exactly the kind he wants, signs off to go to church to pray for peace on Feast of Immaculate Conception -seemingly 2 of the 8 pictures are from a different set/possibly not associated with this letter--picture Ed at camp rather than at home & slightly different size/material from other pictures 12/21/43, Peg NJ, Ed Fort Ord CA Mentions he's been doing a lot of dancing with the USO, describes office Christmas party & getting Christmas bonuses, boss gave her an orchid, got a tree even though they're scarce/expensive, includes 2 Santa stickers
2/10/44, Peg NY, Ed CA Valentine's card, joke about love message on a party phone line.
3/21/44, Peggy NJ, Ed Camp Roberts CA Snow in NJ makes it feel like Christmas rather than almost Easter, mother woke children up singing Happy Birthday to one so she sees no need in setting an alarm for the next birthday, sending him the knife he wanted but won't send a bill--says it's an Easter gift, got in early in the morning after a house party with 16 girls.
4/5/44, Peggy NJ, Ed Camp Roberts CA Letter within homemade Easter card with bunny/chick pictures cut out from newspaper or another card, weather makes it look more like Christmas, brother chosen to sing at Cathedral in Newark--he's coming home while he's in the area but she won't see him because she has to work, gossip about people they know on furlough or getting married, thanks him for sending pictures, sending nuts ("from a nut") because they're not making bunnies/eggs/jelly beans this year
Peg NJ, Ed Fort Ord, CA Sent him a knife he's been using to skin snakes--she wants a snakeskin bag out of it, looked through pictures he sent for "eligible" men but discouraged by mother--wants their histories next time, saw a kid's operetta & laughed at the boys dancing "as graceful as elephants", friend on furlough told a nun he was instructing & she said "well I'll be damned" (surprised him & herself), relates story of risking her life riding in the car with a friend who had no license, mentions it feels like every letter she has another wedding to tell him about
3/2/45, Peg NJ, Ed Postmaster NY St. Patrick's Day card (cartoon chick dressed as leprechaun with 3D feather tail). 3/3/45, Peg NJ, Ed Postmaster NY (VMail) Mentions he fixed up a bike with a friend & it will come in handy, mentions sending photos, mentions working in an office & social life with other office girls.
Includes correspondence from Standard Oil to Edward Lynch regarding his employment and benefits while in military service.
Series contains correspondence from Edward's brother Michael to their mother Elizabeth. They date from January 12, 1948 to June 16, 1952. They disclose an estrangement with his family (which Michael called a "family feud") over his decision to become a priest in the Anglican (Episcopal) Church. Set against the backdrop of increasing tension between the Soviet Union and the West, Michael explains his decision and offers his views on communist dictatorships, the waywardness of the "Roman Church," and why the Anglican (Episcopal) tradition is a purer form of the original Christian church.
Correspondence arranged chronologically.
Correspondence from Edward's brother Joseph, one addressed to his mother and the other to his father. They are dated 1926-1946.
Correspondence arranged chronologically.
Series contains carbon copy prayer, photographs, picture postcards, maps, pamphlets (government and religious), language dictionaries, military dress, and wartime "souvenirs."
Carbon copy of a typed tract, "Prayers For A Stray Shepherd," attributed to E. Boyd Barrett.
5 English-French language dictionaries and phrase books; 1 brochure on "The Quick Way to a Better Vocabulary"
Ship newsletter for the U.S.S. Harry Taylor; notes on first aid procedures for chemical warfare agents; property issue slip; and typed prayer list.
Prayer cards; soldier passes; handbooks; soap papers
Guides to the armed forces, songbooks, collectible photo album, "If you should be captured, these are your rights" pamphlet
Pamphlets on moral behaviors, published by National Catholic Community Service, Catholic Action, and the Saint Anthony Guild
Includes family photos at Christmas, soldiers, some dates are on backs of the photos
Some postcards blank, other addressed either to or from Edward Lynch
Road maps for Washington, D.C.; San Francisco and Los Angeles, California; the Western United States; and the World War II Pacific Theater.
Military clothing: 4 khaki neckties, 4 caps, 1 pair of socks, 1 green drawstring bag from the American Red Cross, 1 canvas snap belt bag.
2 metal fragments from a Japanese Mitsubishi bomber and a Japanese Zero fighter (fragments are labeled); belt buckle; mirror; small green metal tin (labeled "Moore Push-Thumbtacks") containing 2 cross pins and 1 service ribbon; safety razor from Gillette Safety Razor Company.
20 embroidered military patches of stripes and badges
3 slide rulers in black cardboard boxes, with Japanese script along the outside.