Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Horsham Times – 5th October 1915

Excerpt from Article “Soldiers Honored” a story of a public reception of returned Gallipoli soldiers. Private A.H. Boorn speaks of his mate Jack Walsh.

Private Boorn said he was deeply moved and very thankful for the reception. He was not good at speechifying, but he would like to say a few words about the landing, and a couple of his remarks with the name Jack Walsh, his trench mate and dug-out mate. After the landing a few of them were surrounded on the right wing. He thought he was the only 8th battalion man there, but he subsequently discovered Jack Walsh. Lieutenant Tricke was wounded. Jack picked him up and carried him three miles on his back to the breach. When he got to the beach he dropped from exhaustion. ‘After three hours’ rest they went back to the firing line, and were back there for 8 or 10 days. In the trenches rations were issued to two men. Jack and he were together. Jack was boiling the “Dixie” and making the tea while he (Private Boorn) made the stew. He was stirring the fire when he was shot in the head, and died in his (the speaker’s) arms. He was a comrade any man might be proud of, and he fought and dies like a soldier. He thought it only right he should pay a tribute to Jack Walsh.