Box 024, folder 44: C. Lawrence Lynch

LYNCH, C. Lawrence Canadian 3rd Div. Box 24, #44

[inserted] Shane McKing[end of inserted]

For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day

THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR, PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OP NORMANDY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT JUNE 5, 1944 AND MIDNIGHT JUNE 6, 1944. IF YOU WERE ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

What is your full name? C. LAWRENCE LYNCH

What was your unit and division? 17th Hussars (Contact Det) 3rd Div

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Berniers Sur Mer. H plus 30 mins What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Lieut

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 26

Were you married at that time? Yes

What is your wife's name? Marion

Did you have any children at that time? no

What do you do now? Bank Employee.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the Invasion? about 6 months prior

What was the trip like during the crossing of the Channel? Do you remember, for example, any conversations you had or how you passed the time? Fairly quiet. Chatted about invasion and tried to get some sleep

What were the rumors on board the boat, ship or plane in which you made the crossing? (Some people remember scuttlebut to the effect that the Germans had poured gasoline on the water and planned to set it afire when the troops came in). no

- for Cornelius Ryan 2Your name C.L. LYNCH

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? no

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during landing or during the day? not that I was aware of at the time

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties: no

Were you wounded? Shot through left lung Aug 14/44

Do you remember what it was like--that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or were so surprised that you felt nothing? Like being hit with base-ball bat but then no pain. Just difficulty breathing and going unconcious from time to time

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? Had my camera and took a couple of pictures but was afraid to take more as we were instructed not to often felt afterwards that we should have been permitted to take pictures if possible

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? The pathetic and worried appearance of the French civilians.

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name C. LLYNCH

In times of great crisis, people generally show either great ingenuity or self-reliance; others do incredibly stupid things. Do you remember any examples of either from D-Day? Was amazed to find my jeep with extra wireless set, bed roll etc. which landed later in day locate me without any apparent trouble. Its driver and operator were killed about a month later

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? On board the HSM Waveney

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Digging deeper slit-trench

Do you know of anybody else who landed within the 24 hours of D-day, June 6, as infantry, glider or airborne troops, or who took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to? Capt Harry Chapman R.C.A is founder of Montreal section of D-DAY Normandy Officers Society and is in close touch with most local officers who landed that day.

PLEASE LET US HAVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE CAN INCLUDE YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THE BOOK. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE YOUR STORY ON SEPARATE SHEETS IF WE HAVE NOT LEFT SUFFICIENT ROOM. FULL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT WILL BE GIVEN IN A CHAPTER CALLED "WHERE THEY ARE NOW;" YOUR NAME AND VOCATION OR OCCUPATION WILL BE LISTED.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

W.A. Milroy Lt.-Col. Director of Public Relations(Army) Cartier Square, Ottawa, Ontario