WALSH, John Thomas
| Service Numbers: | 1204, 1181 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 September 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 8th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Horsham, Victoria, Australia, 1883 |
| Home Town: | Horsham, Wimmera, Victoria |
| Schooling: | St Michaels and St Johns Catholic School Horsham |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Died of wounds, Gallipoli, Gallipoli, Dardanelles, Turkey, 4 May 1915 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Buried at sea from Hospital Ship Gascon near Gaba Tepe, Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli Peninsula, Canakkale Province, Turkey |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 23 Sep 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1204, 7th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Dec 1914: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 8th Infantry Battalion, New Service Number issued 1181. Not certain as to exact date of the transfer. But he transferred in Egypt. Suspect his new number was cause of delays in new of his official death reaching home before the bush telegraph did. | |
| 22 Dec 1914: | Involvement Private, 1204, 7th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Themistocles embarkation_ship_number: A32 public_note: '' | |
| 22 Dec 1914: | Embarked Private, 1204, 7th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Themistocles, Melbourne | |
| 4 May 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1181, 8th Infantry Battalion |
Private Walsh - Killed in Action
Horsham Times – 30th July 1915
Private Walsh
Killed in Action
Private Walsh was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs P Walsh, of Railway Avenue Horsham. He was 32 years of age. Private Walsh offered himself for service shortly after the outbreak of hostilities.
“We are off to-morrow,” wrote Private Walsh before going into action. “Before you get this some of us will be no more, as we are to land under heavy fire. Should we succeed it will be one of the biggest feats in history. Well dear mother , if I go under do not fret for me, as you know some of us must pay the penalty. Tell Dad not to fret. Ask Pat to be a good boy for my sake. We are all in the best of spirits. Well, good-bye dear mother, and good luck, with heaps of love.”
Similar letter were received from him by other members of the family.
Submitted 28 April 2019 by Bridget Ward
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.
Submitted 28 April 2019 by Bridget Ward
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