Military History

Walsh enlisted when with a given age of 18 years and 1 month.
Embarked Fremantle per ‘Port Melbourne’ A16 for UK 30.10.1917.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 16th Reinf, 27th Battalion, AIF.
Walsh disembarked at Devonport with the 28th Battalion. 16th Reinf. 28.12.1916. He marched in to the 7th Training Battalion. at Rollestone 29.12.1916. After 5 months intensive training, he proceeded overseas to France from Southampton 22.5.1917. Walsh marched in to Havre to the 2nd Base Depot (BD), he was then taken on strength with the 27th Battalion. Walsh was transferred to the 28th Battalion. 12.6.1917 and was taken on strength in the Field 13.6.1917. He was sick in the field and transferred by the 5th Field Ambulance hospital 30.9.1917. He rejoined his Battalion. 20.10.1917. Walsh was detached from duty and marched in to the 2nd Div. Base Depot 6.12.1917, from here he was transferred to the 1st Australian General Hospital (AGH) at Rouen 12.12.1917 and took furlough 31.1.1918. Walsh was found to be underage –17 years and taken out of active duty. He was admitted sick to hospital at Bulford whilst on furlough 13.2.1918. On discharge, he marched in to the Overseas Training Brigade at Sutton Veny 1.4.1918, then transferred to Parkhouse. Walsh proceeded overseas to France via Southampton 27.4.1918. He marched in to Havre and then marched out to the 1st Australian General Hospital at Rouen 4.5.1918. After two incidents of misconduct, Walsh was transferred to the 4th Australian Field Ambulance 16.8.1918. He went AWOL and was Court Martialled receiving a term of 60 days in the Prison Compound 28.11.1918. Walsh became sick with a debility and was hospitalised at the Prison Camp Annexe. Walsh’s prison term was reduced and he marched into Havre for return to England 6.2.1919. He embarked for England and marched in to Sutton Veny 9.3.1919. Walsh was hospitalised with Influenza 25.3.1919. The last 35 days of Walsh’s sentence was remitted and he was listed for return to Australia.
Embarked for Australia per HT ‘Somali’ as Nursing Staff 1.6.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 8.7.1919.
Discharged 15.8.1919.
Final Rank Private, 2nd AGH/ 1st AGH.
Medical Condition NK.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Walsh had 3 brothers who also enlisted in WW1, George Lavell (SN 370), Henry William(SN 226) William Thomas died of wounds (SN 3948).

Photo Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire. Palmer and Ashworth (1922). Facs.Ed. Reproduced with permission of  Hesperian Press 2014. p81
           'Port Melbourne ' A16 21.10.1916. Photographer Barnes Josiah. Photograph source AWM PB0900 
           Rollestone, live grenade throwing practice. Photographer Dowes H. album, photograph source AWM P10688.011.002
           No.1 Australian General Hospital Rouen. Photographer unknown, photograph source E0635

Information Source
Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire. Palmer and Ashworth (1922). Facsimile Edition. Published Hesperian Press, Victoria Park. WA 2014
AWM PB0900 . 'Port Melbourne ' A16 21.10.1916. Photographer Barnes Josiah. Photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P10688.011.002. Rollestone, live grenade throwing practice. Photographer Dowes H. Album, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E0635. No.1 Australian General Hospital Rouen. Photographer unknown, photograph sourcede from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Rolls Sydney Patrick Walsh
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
Guildford War Memorial
lNAA: B2455, Walsh S P
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA


5 Ethel Street, Guildford, WA.

Associated Images