Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Richard was born on the 16th of February 1887 in Westbury, Tasmania. He was the tenth child of twelve children born to Irish immigrants Francis and Margaret (nee Delaney) Walsh, of Exton, Tasmania.

Both his parents were railway employees and his family resided at the Exton siding (i.e the accommodation provided by the railways for employees). In 1893 his father died and by 1903, when Richard was 16, the family had transferred to the Newstead siding in Launceston, where his mother was employed as a railway crossing gatekeeper. By this point in his life Richard had lost not only his father but also four of his adult siblings to tuberculosis or typhoid.

Richard’s “Application for Commission in the Australian Imperial Force” (A.I.F.), dated January 31st, 1916, states Educational Qualifications 6th Standard, Military Qualifications (previous military service) 7 years 12th A.I.R., 5 years sergeant (Tasmanian Regiment), and 5 years Instructional Staff A.M. Force appointed 1st of July 1911 (Western Australia).
Based on the above information and other records a timeline can be formed of Richard’s military history.

Richard likely enlisted in the 2nd Battalion (Launceston Regiment) Tasmanian Infantry when he was approximately age 16 in 1903. This regiment was then formed into the 12th Australian Infantry Regiment.

In 1909 he successfully completed “Class B Country Course” at Anglesea Barracks Hobart. (Refer to Links – Military Exams)

Around 1910/11 Richard went to the School of Instruction, Portsea, Victoria, and was appointed “instructional staff” and assigned to the Western Australian district. He would have been approximately 23 years of age. (Refer to Links – Military Appointments and Changes). There are a number of photos of Richard with Portsea handwritten on the back, this article, substantiates why he was there and the reason why he was living so far away from his family.

The “Electoral Roll 1913 for Kalgoorlie, Coolgardie” noted his address was "Drill Hall, Coolgardie", employed as "Drill Instructor", therefore he was probably allocated there when appointed to A.M. Forces on 1st of July 1911. There is also a newspaper article in 1912 confirming he was living in Coolgardie (Refer to Links – Items of News)

On the 2nd of February 1916, Richard became a commissioned officer (2nd Lieutenant) in the Australian Imperial Forces (A.I.F.), and was assigned to No. 3 Platoon, A Company, 44th Battalion. At the time of enlisting his address was Drill Hall, Claremont, Western Australia. His personal details on enlistment showed that he was 28 years old, 177 cm tall and a Roman Catholic.

In a letter Richard sent to his sister Anna (dated 20th February 1916) he expressed how pleased he was at the prospect of promotion by his own efforts. He also stated “I know that you people at home will be a little upset. I have always contended that is every man’s duty to bear arms and to use them if necessary.” He went on to say “Break it gently to the Mater [his Mother]. You and the Mater will be provided for in any event because I will allot a certain amount of my pay for your use. I wish you were over here then it would be much easier. I insured myself some time ago.” He advised Anna as to the value of two policies upon his death and conveyed he also owned a block of land. He mentioned his pay as a 2nd Lieut would be 18/- per day prior to embarkation and 21/- after. (Letter in possession of Di Dimartino)

In a letter to his mother a month later he expressed a feeling of sorrow on leaving his position as drill instructor but appeared optimistic about his new position “I am appointed to No 3 Platoon, A Company, 44th Battalion A.I.F. Our Battalion Commander is Lieut. Col. Mansbridge….I knew him well in the goldfields….We have several returned officers also who are in charge of companies. It is a particularly strong battalion with so many returned heroes and six permanent officers. The men are splendid fellows, and we have no trouble whatever with them. ....I don’t think I will be able to get home before leaving for the front but you can bet I will scadaddle back as soon as the war is over which I expect will be about Xmas 1917…… Of course there are risks, but if I go to the pack you can rest assured that I have gone doing my duty in every respect both to God and man, but I don’t feel as though I will…..Well dear Mater I am tired after a long day so will draw to a close hoping that you will find me after the war a better man…. With best love, your loving son Dick xxxx” (Letter in possession of Di Dimartino)

He was promoted to Lieutenant on June 1st, 1916.

Richard embarked from Fremantle on "A29 Suevic" on June 6th, 1916, and disembarked at Plymouth, UK, on July 21st. After disembarkation Richard’s went to the Larkhill garrison until August 29th, 1916, and was then transferred to Hayling Island, Portsmouth, for further training until he re-joined his unit on September 23rd upon which they proceeded overseas from Southampton and arrived in France on November 27th,1916. (Refer to “Service Record” – “Casualty Form – Active Service” P. 11)

"...The 44th Battalion entered the front-line trenches of the Western Front for the first time on December 29th,1916. The 44th spent the winter of 1916-17 alternating between service in the front line, and training and labouring in the rear areas. This routine was broken by only one major raid, an ill-fated effort involving almost half the battalion on the 13th of March 1917. The battalion then fought in its first major battle at Messines, in Belgium, between the 7th and 10th of June ...". (Refer to Links – AWM – 44th Battalion)

It was during this battle that Richard was killed in action on June 8th, 1917. He was buried at Bethleem Cemetery south east of Messines. (Refer to photo of his original grave)

Richard’s courage was expressed in a letter he wrote to his mother on April 13, 1917, from Belgium: “I hope we get through alright. I am prepared in every way. The risk is worth the pain and I have accomplished everything I set out to do. I don’t feel a bit downhearted about it as I will leave a good record for future generations of our family to live up to. Of course, I might come through all right which will mean further advantages. Don’t worry Mater dear as whatever happens will be for the best. You will know how things are probably before you get this note. There is no good making any bones about it as I know the risks… It must have a good effect on our troops to read of our brilliant success. We can’t expect to win all the way but final victory is assured. Well dear Mater I must now draw this to a close. Give my best wishes to all good brothers and sisters, and nephews and friends and acquaintances and believe my always your loving son Dick”. (Letter in possession of Di Dimartino)

TELEGRAM TO RICHARD’S MOTHER
An Urgent Telegram was sent to Reverend Beechiner in Launceston on June 23rd, 1917, to advise Richard’s mother that he had been killed in action. The telegram read “officially reported that Lieutenant Richard Edward Walsh Forty Fourth Battalion enlisted in West Australia was killed in action on eighth June stop next of kin (Mother) Mrs Margaret Walsh Newstead near Launceston. Bresnan Deputy Asst Adjt Gen 11 51”. (Refer to photos)

ACCOUNTS OF HOW RICHARD DIED

“How they died – W.A. Officers at Messines”

An interesting description of the Messines fight and how several W.A. officers met their deaths are contained in a letter from the late Captain T. Bone addressed to Miss May Fee of Boulder. Referencing principally to the circumstances under which Lieut. R. E. Walsh, a friend of the recipient of the letter, met his end, the writer says :- “Dick and I, as you probably know, were in the same company (“A”) together when the battalion went over the top on the night June 7 last we were all as eager, even as happy as only Australians can be before an assault. We had a pretty rough spin going through the ground, but we got through with only a few casualties, and once in positions the result was never in doubt. The lads walked forward as if they had been strolling down Burt-street, but early in the stunt “A” Company lost Lieut. Bond (wounded) and “B” Company lost Lieut. Longmore (wounded).
The rest of the journey was tough, for all the enemy’s concrete machined gun emplacements had not been accounted for by the artillery. But Dick stuck to the centre of his platoon, and the whole company made good its objective and started to dig in.
Of course, it’s pretty generally recognised now that there is comparatively little trouble in taking a position, provided the infantry have the support of the artillery. The losses occur when the men are digging in and consolidating the new position and when the only partly prepared position is counter attacked by the enemy’s reserves. Enemy aircraft locate the new trenches; his artillery is sighted on them in double time, and snipers from trees, old houses, and shell holes miss a few targets that present themselves. Such was our case. We gained all our objectives and dug in admirably, but not before artillery had accounted for Capt. Bryan, our O.C., Lieut. Geo. Hughes, and Lieut. Hocking, and a sniper got poor old Dick. His death was instantaneous and he and his commanding officer, Captain Bryan, are buried side by side, just in the rear of the ground they had so nobly won. Those of us who were lucky enough to dodge them for the remainder of the conflict will ever remember Bethlehem farm, for there side by side, are no less than four white crosses to mark the number of our officers-heroes of this battalion, who gave their lives for humanity on the “glorious seventh”. The Messines battle was the greatest yet on record. Furthermore, the gains were far beyond the anticipation of the army commander and the casualties were only one third of the number provided for. The colonials (the New Zealanders and the Australians) claim no small share of the honour.”

“He was a particular pal of mine” wrote Captain E. Adams, referring to Lieut. Walsh. “His death was instantaneous. He had just got his men into position and said “Here we are boys. Dig in” and then fell. He was buried with Captain Bryan near where he fell, it being impossible to get their bodies back, owing to the heavy artillery fire. He was a splendid officer and man, and we all thought much of him.” (Refer to Links – How They Died)

Letter from May Fee to Mrs Walsh (Richard’s Mother) dated Sept 23 1917.

“….a few particulars from dear old Dick’s death. Sgt. Major Carmody got a letter from Captain Longmore who was standing with Dick when he was killed. They were both great pals and were together right through. Longmore and Dick were standing together during the advance and Longmore said Dick stooped down for some reason or other and a bullet struck him in the neck and penetrating the brain, it entered the neck just below the chin. Longmore said had he been standing erect he would have only been wounded. Longmore was wounded at the same time. Poor old Dick was killed instantly, one consolation he suffered no pain and there was someone with him to see that his body was taken care of……. Sgt. Maj. Carmody is at present on the “fields” [this would mean the goldfields at Kalgoorlie and surrounds] “…..attending the annual encampment of the Militia. He is calling before he goes back to Perth…..he and Mrs Carmody,….Dick’s their friend and will never be forgotten…..” (Letter in possession of Di Dimartino)

The loss to the family- a personal perspective by Di Dimartino (Richard’s great niece)

Whilst overseas Richard continued to write to his family and I have two of his letters in my possession. Reading these letters, and other letters from Richard, gives an insight into the type of person he was and how much he cared for his “Mater” and siblings, particularly his three adult sisters who never married and lived with their mother. Also, his work ethic when he left his current position to join the A.I.F. At the time of his passing Richard had a fiancée named May Fee who resided in Coolgardie, W.A.

Richard’s passing would have weighed heavily on his dear Mater, siblings and fiancée. In one of his letters to his sister Anna before he left for overseas, Richard said “You and the Mater will be provided for in any event”. At the time of his death, his mother was approximately 69 years old and had been granted a pension on August 22, 1917. Richard’s love and responsibility he felt for his family by taking out insurance policies, upon death, enabled his mother (as sole beneficiary) to purchase a home in Newstead, Tasmania, for herself and three daughters which she called “Messines”. In doing so it had a direct effect on my family. In 1924 Richard’s brother Joe (a miner, and also my grandfather) lost his wife Alice. Due to his line of work, Joe was unable to care for his five children (one of whom was my father who was only three weeks old at the time), so Joe and Alice’s children were able to live at “Messines” under the care of Margaret and her adult daughters Anna, Elizabeth and Catherine.

In all his letters he discussed his mortality, and he was adamant he was aware of the risks. He was, as he hoped in his letter an inspiration “for future generations of our family to live up to”. Descendants of Joe and Alice are forever grateful for his legacy in providing a wonderful home for their children who all grew up into exceptional and loving human beings.

HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AND HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN OUR HEARTS

Richard Edward Walsh was awarded for service in WW1:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Dianne Dimartino 20 April 2023
Co-author and Editor Andrew Walsh (g.g. nephew of Richard)