Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Ulysses’ A38 for Egypt 1.4.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 11th Battalion, 15th Reinf.
Walsh disembarked at Alexandria with the 11th Battalion. 15th Reinf. 25.4.1916. He was placed with the 51st Battalion as part of the AIF reorganisation, which saw experienced soldiers being placed with new recruits, before embarking for the Western Front. After 6 weeks of training, he travelled to Alexandria, joined the BEF and embarked for France per HT ‘Huntspill’ 7.6.1916 as Acting Sergeant Walsh disembarked at Marseilles 14.6.1916. Walsh marched in to Details Base at Etaples. He joined his Battalion and reverted to rank of Private 3.9.1916. The 11th Battalion had fought at Pozieres and Mouquet Farm prior to Walsh joining the Battalion in the field. He was promoted the to the rank of Corporal 4.9.1916 and to Sgt.13.9.1916. As a capable officer, he was rapidly promoted to Coy Sgt. Major 4.10.1916.
The 11th Battalion pursued the Germans in early 1917, as they retreated to the Hindenburg Line, they fought at Louverval and Lagnicourt in April and at the Second Battle of Bullecourt in May 1917. Walsh was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant 5.3.1917. The trench warfare in the wet spring resulted in him developing septic feet and abrasions 28.3.1917. Walsh embarked for England per HS ‘Warilda’ with a fractured left foot 30.4.1917. (reported seriously injured West Australian Newspaper 21.4.1917.) He was evacuated to England and admitted to the Kitchener Military Hospital 30.4.1917. Walsh proceeded overseas on recovery and marched in Base Depot at Etaples 10.5.1917. He rejoined his Unit in the field 13.5.1917. The 51st Battalion was depleted at this time having lost 210 men through capture and casualties. Through June and July the strength of the 11th Battalion was rebuilt through new reinforcements. From July 1917 the 11th Battalion fought in the Third Battle of Ypres/Passchendaele at Messines, Polygon Wood (51st Battalion AWM) and Zonnebeke. Walsh was seriously wounded in action at Broodseinde Ridge near Zonnebeke 11.10.1917. He was hit by a gas shell and lost part of both legs, and received compound fractures wounds to his arms. Walsh was taken by 3rd Field Ambulance to a dressing station and then to the 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station where he died shortly afterwards 13.10.1917. (AWM Red Cross Files) (Reported West Australian Newspaper 19.10 1917). Walsh died of wounds received in action 13.10.1917. (Reported West Australian Newspaper 8.11.1917) He was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery 15.10.1917 (1 ½ mile SW of Poperinghe), Plot 21, Row F, Grave 24.
Final Rank 2nd Lieut. 51st Battalion.
Medical Condition Deceased, Died of wounds.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes William was one of the 4 Walsh brothers who served in WW1. His other 3 brothers returned George Lovell (SN 370), Henry William (SN 226) Sydney Patrick (SN 5936).

One of the best that God could send
A loving son, brother and faithful friend.
Rest in the Saviour , sweetly rest.
We miss you the most who loved you the best.
(West Australian Newspaper In Memoriam 12.10.1918)

Photos Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire. Palmer and Ashworth (1922) Facs. Ed. Reproduced with permission of Hesperian Press 2014. p81
             HMAT 'Ulysses'. Photographer P.E.F. Schuler, photograph sourced AWM PS0154
             Messines, showing winter trenches 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E0128 
             Broodseinde Ridge. Australian Troops in Front Line Trenches October 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00948
             Lijssenthoek Cemetery, Flanders , Belgium 1228 Australian Soldiers have graves here. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM A03041

Information Source
'Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire.  Palmer and Ashworth (1922). Facsimile Edition. Published by Hesperian Press, Victoria Park. WA. 2014
AWM PS0154. HMAT 'Ulysses'. Photographer P.E.F. Schuler, photograph sourced  from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E04580. Ruins of Lagnicourt Church 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E0128. Messines, showing winter trenches 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E00948. Broodseinde Ridge. Australian Troops in Front Line Trenches October 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM A03041. Lijssenthoek Cemetery, Flanders , Belgium 1228 Australian Soldiers have graves here. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll William Thomas Walsh
AWM Roll of Honour William Thomas Walsh
AWM Red Cross File William Thomas Walsh
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA
AWM 51st Bn
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Walsh W T
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
St. Matthew’s –Fallen
West Australian Newspaper
11th Bn. Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11th_Battalion_(Australia)

‘Kia Ora,’ 5 Ethel Street, Guildford, WA.


 

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