Born in New Whittington in Derbyshire,[1] to Michael Lynch, a Coal Miner from Clashmore, County Waterford, Ireland and Mary Ann (Lavender).
Lynch studied economics at Ruskin College and Nottingham University College, and sat the commerce examinations of the Royal Society of Arts, coming in first place, and the National Union of Teachers, where he took second place.
[2] In 1928, Lynch stood for election as treasurer of the DMA against eleven other candidates, including Samuel Sales.
However, when Wright died in 1938, Lynch defeated twelve other candidates, including Sales and Harold Neal, to win the post.
[2] Harry Hicken, general secretary of the DMA, resigned in 1942, and the executive posts in the union were rearranged.