Major John Francis WALSH

Major John Francis WALSH
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WALSH
Major John Francis

A Company, 15th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force

Born 2nd February,1890 at Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia
[Birth certificate: 90/006950 Qld]

Educated: Boys' Central State School, Charters Towers; Townsville Grammar School, Townsvile, Queensland

Single; Forwarding agent and [Military] Area Officer, of Cairns and Townsville, Queensland

Next of Kin listed as: Father; John Walsh. Mother; Ellen Walsh (nee Buckley), of Corner of Jane & Stubley Streets, Charters Towers Qld.

Photos of Major Walsh are known to exist in the following locations:
Townsville Grammar School Magazine Mar 1916 p179). Group photo Chataway facing p18 & facing p27. Brisbane Daily Mail 6 May 1915 p4. Sydney Mail 19 May 1915 p8


Died of wounds
28th April 1915
at Courtney's Post
Aged 25







15th Battalion, AIF


No Known Grave


Notes:
Previously Major, Kennedy (North Queensland) Regiment. Joined as Private, rose through the ranks. Area officer for Cairns district. Went with his regiment to New Guinea, on the Kanowna, at the outbreak of war. Volunteered for the A.I.F. on his return.

'J.F. Walsh was with me when he first came [to Townsville Grammar School], obtained an 'A' in Chemistry at the Sydney Junior [examination] - or first - was both as an Area Officer at Cairns and on the 'Kanowna' among the most respected officers. Those who knew him as an officer have told me that they anticipated that his name would be among the first sad lists, such a Hotspur was he, so impetuous, so bent on putting himself where danger was.' (Townville Grammar School Magazine March 1916 p170).

According to Commonwealth War Graves Commossion records and Bean, Major Walsh was killed on the 28th April, but the 15th Battalion's Unit History gives this date as the afternoon of the 27th: 'It was during this Tuesday [April 27], when the bombardment was at its height, that Captain Jack Walsh met his death. Tireless and cool under the most trying circumstances, he gave inspiration and initiative to all with whom he came in contact. On this afternoon, with field glasses to his eyes and in the company of Lieutenant Sampson, he was attempting to locate an enemy machine-gun that was causing a number of casualties among his men, when a sniper's bullet passed through the right lens and penetrated his brain. Captain Walsh was promoted to Major a short time before his death, and was one of the gallant leaders who, falling early in the fight, has received practically no recognition for his work.' (Chataway p17).

Buried in the same grave as Major Carter and Lieutenant Mountain, both of the 16th Battalion. (Chataway p17). (Bean V1 p474, 483).

Major Quinn, Captain Walsh and Captain Harry, all killed at Gallipoli, were boyhood friends in Charters Towers.


Lest We Forget


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