WAVING GOODBYE
Francis & Andrew Walsh - 32nd Battalion

18 year-old Francis Raphael Walsh enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on the 13th of July 1915 . Currently serving in the cadets (which he had been doing for 4 years) he was a photographer by trade and was sent to camp as a member of the 32nd battalion.

Obviously inspired by his brother's enlistment Richmond Ambrose Walsh enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on the 21st of July, joining his brother in the 32nd battalion. However, Richmond had a secret, he was underage. But that wasn't all, his name wasn't even Richmond Ambrose Walsh, but rather Andrew Clement Walsh. In a bid to avoid suspicion as to his true age (17) Andrew had enlisted using his older brother's name.

The two brothers left Australia for the Middle East onboard the Geelong in November 1915. Before they left they visited their family to say goodbye, their niece (the daughter of the real Richmond Ambrose) vividly remembering them walking away together down the lane, pausing at the end to wave before disappearing from view, off to do their duty.

After spending several months at the Ferry Post they moved to France onboard the Transylvania and proceeded by train to Northern France . On the 10th of July Francis was moved to the 5th Division Salvage Company, the brothers becoming separated for the first time since Andrew enlisted.

However they were soon reunited during the battle of Fromelles, with Francis seeing his brother after he was wounded during the attack on the German positions. Obviously aware of how seriously his brother was wounded, Franics was later recorded as saying he knew they were serious enough to prevent Andrew returning to the front.

Andrew eventually succumbed to his wounds and became one of the many who lost their lives that July day with no known burial. Over the coming years his brother George Leslie Walsh (who enlisted in 1916 and joined the 11th Field Ambulance) continued to search for news of what happened to his brother, even though they knew he was dead.

Francis continued to serve with the 5th Division Salvage company throughout 1917 and into 1918, spending time in hospital during that period for influenza and problems with his teeth, the harsh conditions of the trenches clearly taking their toll. In September 1918 he transferred to the War Records Office in the AIF HQ, a position he held until his return to Australia in early 1919.

Research notes:

1) Francis and Richmond were two of 11 children born to Michael and Mary Walsh of Unley , South Australia .

2) Their father Michael passed in 1909.

3) Andrew listed his employment as a horse driver however an obituary printed in 1917 said he was employed at the Government Printing Offices.

4) Andrew was quite active socially prior to his enlistment and was president of the St Andrews branch of the H.A.C.B Society, a member of St. Raphael's C.Y.M Society

5) Andrew is listed as both Richmond and Richard in his service records and it isn't until much later that his true name is revealed. His mother accepted his death plaque with the name Richmond , which was the name she actually requested be placed upon it.

6) Francis and George both returned from the war, Francis passing away in April 1979.

Photos:

1) Andrew Clement Walsh.

2) Francis Raphael Walsh photo from Second to None by R.R Freeman.

3) The VC Corner memorial with Richmond Ambrose Walsh on it. Photo by Robert Pike.

I would like to thank Lyn Sharp grand-niece of Francis and Andrew (granddaughter of the real Richmond Walsh) for her help with this memorial.