About Charles Walsh

Charles was born in Duaringa, Queensland in January 1885, to Thomas and Helena Walsh. He was the fourth born child of the couple, who had eleven children. Charles grew up in the central Queensland region, and attended the local state school.

Broome Connection

Charles’s sister, Amy Rose, married Thomas Chapple and the family moved to Broome in 1902. Charles joined them in Broome and worked for a time as a shell opener. He was working as a laborer when the war started, and enlisted from Broome. His Attestation paper was signed by the Mayor, W. Clarke-Hall and his medical was performed by Broome’s medical officer Alex Goldstein.

War Service

Charles enlisted on the 23rd November 1914 with a large group of Broome men, and travelled to Blackboy Hill Camp, near Perth. He was posted to the 11th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement. Charles left Fremantle aboard the Itonus in February 1915. In June Charles arrived in Gallipoli and joined his unit at the Dardanelles. He was wounded by gun shot wound to the hand in August and was returned to Egypt. His fingers were shattered and eventually required amputation. After recovery, Charles was sent for further training, and in September 1916 rejoined the 11th Battalion who were in France. After another stint in hospital in England for severe trench feet from May to September he again rejoined his battalion in Havre. Charles was killed in action in Belgium only a week after rejoining.

Enlistment Details

Newspaper Articles

Other Online Resources

View Charles Walsh at the National Archives of Australia
View Charles Walsh at the Australian War Memorial