Private
Walsh, Frank Richard
Unit
52nd Canadian Infantry Battalion (New Ontario)
Branch
Infantry
Service Component
Canadian Expeditionary Force
Service Number
693113
birth
1881/03/22
Port Perry, Ontario, Canada
death
1918/10/01
France
grave
Drummond Cemetery, Raillencourt, France
Gender
Male
Frank Richard Walsh was born in Port Perry, Ontario, in 1881. His enlistment documents show two different birthdates: 22 March and 18 September.
A veterinary student, Walsh first enlisted on 5 August 1916, in Brandon, Manitoba, in the 174th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders of Canada). Later discharged due to illness, he re-enlisted on 26 February 1918, also in Brandon. In France, he served in the 52nd Canadian Infantry Battalion (New Ontario).
Walsh was killed in action on 1 October 1918, during the Battle of the Canal du Nord. That day, his battalion suffered over 100 casualties as it continued to push forward against German positions. All but one of the battalion’s company officers and a “very great number” of its non-commissioned officers became casualties. That severely limited the battalion’s effectiveness as a fighting force as the day went on. Nevertheless, the battalion captured approximately 250 prisoners from six German regiments, 20 machine guns and one field gun.
Frank Richard Walsh is buried in Drummond Cemetery, Raillencourt, France.
