British Army Veterinary Corps
William WALSH
Captain
Died 27 February 1919 · Aged 26
His story
Captain William Walsh MRCVS was a native of Ballina, County Mayo, and the son of Francis and Kate Walsh of Bridge Street. Contemporary local reporting describes him as 26 years old when he died in 1919.
Walsh entered military service late in the war. A contemporary account states that he joined after completing his veterinary examinations in 1917, served for a time at home depots in England and Wales, and was then sent to France during the final months of the fighting. He was promoted temporary Captain with effect from 1 February 1919.
He returned to Ballina on leave in January 1919 but became ill during the journey. Influenza developed into pneumonia and he died at Ballina on 27 February 1919. He was buried in the Catholic Cathedral churchyard.
Photographs and documents
Before the war
- Nationality
- British
- Date of Birth
- 1892 (approximately)
- Place of Birth
- Heaton, Bradford, England
Military service
- Last Rank
- Captain
- Regiment/Service
- British Army Veterinary Corps
- First Theatre of War
- France 1917
Medals and commemoration
- Name on RCVS Honour Board
- Yes
- Name In Officers who died in Great War
- No
- Medals and Awards
- British War Medal 1914-1918; Victory Medal
Death and burial
- Date of Death
- 27 February 1919
- Age at Death
- 26
- Place of Death
- Ballina, Ireland
- Cause of Death
- Influenza and pneumonia
- Cemetery
- Ballina Catholic Cathedral Churchyard
- Location
- Ballina, Ireland
- Grave Reference
- 27
- Commonwealth War Grave
- Yes - Private Headstone
Sources and further reading
Cite this biography
Graham Hodgkins and Pete Matthews, “William Walsh”, Veterinary Virtual War Memorial, https://vetsremembered.org/people/william_walsh/.
Contribute information
Can you supply a photograph of William Walsh, with its source and permission to display it?