Jack Lyon

William John (Jack) Lyon (15 February 1898 – 26 May 1941) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party. He was killed in World War II while serving with the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

Early years
Lyon was born in London, England, and educated at a Brighton Grammar School. He won a scholarship to Oxford University, but did not take it up as he enlisted in the British Army, becoming an officer in the Royal Sussex Regiment.

Local politician
His health was damaged by mustard gas, so he emigrated to New Zealand in 1927 where he lived in Hastings. Lyon served on the Hastings Borough Council and Napier Harbour Board before moving to Auckland in 1931.

Member of Parliament
As a Labour Party MP, he represented the Waitemata electorate from the 1935 general election to 1941.

Death
With the outbreak of war, Lyon enlisted in the New Zealand Army, and was a Captain with the 18th Battalion when he was killed during the Battle of Crete.