MIKAN No. 5065554

Private Michael Joseph Walsh in the Great War

Home | Soldiers | Private Michael Joseph Walsh in the Great War

Private Michael Joseph Walsh, son of the late Richard and Johanna Walsh, of Highwrath, Callan, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland. A survivor of his first engagement, the Second Battle of Passchendaele, Michael developed pneumonia nine months later and invalided back to the UK. Another seven months in hospitals before Michael finally died of acute meningitis and pleurisy. Private Michael Walsh buried in Epsom Cemetery, Surrey on 17 February 1919. Possibly, Michael related to the author’s grandfather, A/Bbdr Richard Francis Walshe.

Casualties: Stretcher bearers bringing in a wounded man over muddy ground at Passchendaele. Canadian wounded being brought through the mud. Battle of Passchendaele. November, 1917. MIKAN No. 3397040
Casualties: Stretcher bearers bringing in a wounded man over muddy ground at Passchendaele. Canadian wounded being brought through the mud. Battle of Passchendaele. November, 1917. MIKAN No. 3397040

Enlistment in the Canadian Expeditionary Force

A labourer by trade, Michael enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 12 December 1916 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada with 11th Regt, The I. F. of C. (The Irish Fusiliers of Canada). Residing at the Edward Hotel, Vancouver, BC. Born in Highwrath, Collan, Kilkenny, Ireland on 2 March 1886. His sister Hellen Walsh listed as next of kin, residing at 6557 Langley, Chicago, Illinois. Finally, Private Walshe 2020170 stood 5′ 10″ tall, 160 pounds, with fair complexion, grey eyes and brown hair – a Roman Catholic.

Private Michael Joseph Walsh Last Will
Private Michael Joseph Walsh Last Will

Pte Walsh completed his Will a few months later on 11 May 1917 leaving everything to his two brothers, John Francis and Peter. Michael twice noting ‘Share and share alike’ on the document. Witnessed by Lt D R MacDonald of the 11th Regiment. No mention of sister Hellen in the Will. Michael states later in 1918 that two sisters had previously died, aged 17 and 14 years.

Private
SS Olympic (left) returning to Belfast for repairs in March 1912, and SS Titanic (right) This, the last time the two sister ships seen together.

Michael then embarked at Halifax on 28 May 1917, per HMT 2810 (SS OLYMPIC), disembarking Liverpool 9 June 1917. ToS by the 16th Reserve Bn at Seaford Camp.

"Seaford Camp, October 1917": Bayonet-fighting instructors, 16th Reserve Bn. MIKAN No. 3406043
“Seaford Camp, October 1917”: Bayonet-fighting instructors, 16th Reserve Bn. MIKAN No. 3406043

Following a summer spent in training, Private Michael Joseph Walsh proceeds overseas for service with the 47th Battalion (Western Ontario Regiment) on 19 September 1917.

Officers of the 47th Canadian Infantry Battalion. December, 1918. MIKAN No. 3522403 

47th Battalion

Organized in February 1915 initially under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W N Winsby, and mobilized at New Westminster, recruited in New Westminster, Vancouver and Victoria. Drafts of 5 officers, 250 other ranks, 4 officers, 244 other ranks and 5 officers, 249 other ranks sent to England on 17 June, 24 June and later on 1 October 1915.

N.C.O.s of the 47th Canadian Infantry Battalion. December, 1918.MIKAN No. 3522404 

The 47th Battalion had embarked from Montreal 13 November 1915 aboard SS MISSANABIE, and later disembarked in England later on 22 November 1915 with a strength of 36 officers, 1115 other ranks. Disembarked in France 10 August 1916 with the 4th Canadian Division, 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade, later reinforced by 24th Canadian Reserve Battalion.

Lieutenant-Colonel Humphrey Webb
47th Battalion officer (Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Humphrey MC DSO at left) giving his men advice in trenches. MIKAN No. 3520001

The 47th Battalion finally returned to England 28 April 1919, disembarked in Canada 4 June 1919, and demobilized 6 June 1919. “Weekly Chronicle of the 47th Battalion” published for one year, beginning on 3 July 1915, in addition, published a photographic record, 1914 – 1915. Colours presented by people of New Westminster, and later deposited in armouries in 1919, perpetuated by The Westminster Regiment.

To France

Michael arrived in France on 21 September 1917, later joining his unit on 20 October 1917, just in time for the Second Battle of Passchendaele.

Sir Arthur Currie, commander of the C.E.F., objected to the task, informing his superior it would cost the Canadian Corps 16,000 casualties. On this occasion, Haig doubted the judgment of his finest commander and insisted. However, having no choice but to flow orders, Currie took several weeks to prepare for the battle, and launched a set-piece attack on 26 October 1917, the first of four orchestrated phases in the Canadian Corps greatest battle to date.

Private Walsh served for nearly nine months on the Western Front until admitted No 3 Cdn Fld Amb on 7 July 1918. Pneumonia to 22 CCS, 11 July 1918 and transferred to 42 CCS on 13 July 1918.

Arriving at Casualty Clearing Station from the Front. October, MIKAN No. 3395813
Arriving at Casualty Clearing Station from the Front. October, MIKAN No. 3395813

Private Michael Joseph Walsh admitted to No 32 Stationary Hospital, Wimereux, later on 18 July 1918 – 30 ounces of fluid aspirated from his lungs.

To England

Invalided to England, Michael at first admitted to 4th London General Hospital, Denmark Hill, 24 July 1918.

Military Convalescent Hospital, Woodcote Park, Epsom, 13 September 1918, and later transferred to Horton (County of London) War Hospital, Epsom, 27 November 1918.

No. 7 General Hospital: Surgery in France (date unknown). Queen’s University Archives, Dr. F.X. O’Connor III Photographic Collection 1069, Box 2 of 3, File 35 III “Pictures and Photographs — Military Hospital Medical and Surgical, “Surgery,”
No. 7 General Hospital: Surgery in France (date unknown). Queen’s University Archives, Dr. F.X. O’Connor III Photographic Collection 1069, Box 2 of 3, File 35 III “Pictures and Photographs — Military Hospital Medical and Surgical, “Surgery,”

Listed as Seriously ill, 12 February 1919, then, Seriously ill, and died 16 February 1919, Horton County of London War Hospital, Epsom. Acute Meningitis & Pleurisy T.B., in addition, Hellen Walsh (sister), mentioned as next of kin.

Latest address: Mr John Francis Walsh (brother), and Peter Walsh 6541 Drexel Ave, Chicago, Illinois, later 6557 Langley Avenue (Hellen’s address). Finally, Michael’s British War medal, Plaque and Scroll sent to his brother, John Francis Walsh.

Epsom Cemetery

182 Commonwealth burials of the Great War and 49 of the Second World War at Epsom Cemetery, Surrey, in addition, 149 of the Great War burials located in Plot K. These commemorated at the North end of the plot on a Screen Wall, upon which bronze panels also bear the names of those buried in the plot.

The bronze panels provided from a fund held by the Horton (County of London) War Hospital, the Horton Hospital, the Manor (County of London) War Hospital and also the Woodcote Park Military Convalescent Hospital. Furthermore, two casualties buried in Horton Estate Cemetery, alternatively commemorated in this cemetery.

Epsom Cemetery

More


Posted

in

by

Tags: