Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Private Leonard Michael John Walsh (Service No. 2657), an Australian World War One veteran, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with plaques in recognition of their service for Australia.

We unveiled his plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 23 September 2023, along with a further 300 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page

Leonard Michael John Walsh was born on 5 October 1888 in Rockhampton, Queensland, to Patrick Walsh and Sophia Walsh (née Kew). He enlisted in Brisbane on 1 February 1916 at the age of 27. At the time of enlistment, he was unmarried and employed as a labourer. His next of kin was recorded as his father, Patrick Walsh, of 17 Mountjoy Street, Petrie Terrace, Brisbane.

On 17 November 1916, Walsh embarked from Brisbane for overseas service aboard HMAT Kyarra as part of the 5th Reinforcements to the 42nd Battalion. After arriving in England, he underwent military training at Sutton Mandeville and Larkhill, and in March 1917 he was attached to the 11th Training Battalion. In September 1917, he proceeded overseas to France via Southampton for active service on the Western Front.

On 5 October 1917, Private Walsh was wounded in action, sustaining a gunshot wound to his left thigh. He was admitted on 21 October 1917 to a Voluntary Aid Detachment hospital in the Cheltenham area of England. Notification of his wounding was formally cabled to his family in Brisbane on 2 November 1917.
His mother, Sophia Walsh, later wrote to military authorities expressing concern and requesting details of how her son had been wounded, as she had not heard from him for some time.

Following treatment, Walsh was discharged from the Cheltenham Voluntary Aid Detachment hospital in December 1917 and transferred to Sutton Veny for further convalescence. During 1918 he experienced additional medical issues, including rheumatism, myalgia affecting his shoulders and legs, and influenza, resulting in several hospital admissions. Despite these health setbacks, he continued to move between training depots and battalions, including transfers between the 42nd and 41st Battalions.
Walsh embarked for his return to Australia in April 1919, arrived in June 1919, and was subsequently discharged from the Australian Imperial Force.

In November 1920, he married Margaret Rosetta Rhodes. The couple had no children. By 1926, Walsh was living at Red Hill, Brisbane, and was employed as a labourer. Electoral and residential records from 1936 and 1943 show that he was living at North Quay, Brisbane, where he continued to work as a labourer.

Private Leonard Michael John Walsh died on 31 August 1951, aged 62, and was buried in Anzac Portion 8, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane.

After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.