We Remember

Harris L. Walsh

Harris L. Walsh
Rank: 
Lieutenant
Unit at enlistment: 
36th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
Yes
Wounded: 
Yes
Commemorated at: 
Grace Anglican Church
Birth country: 
Canada
Birth county: 
Brant
Birth city: 
Brantford, Ontario
Address at enlistment: 
9 Bedford Street, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
9 Bedford Street, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Journalist
Employer: 
Brantford Expositor
Religious denominations: 
Anglican
Marital status: 
Married
Age at enlistment: 
31

Letters and documents

BX October 25, 1915

Lieut. Harris Walsh Fell; Broke His Shoulder Blade – In Dark at West Sandling, He Fell Over the Embankment Having Missed Way

Lieutenant Harris L. Walsh, who left here with the 36th Battalion, being later, transferred to the Royal Canadian Regulars in company with Lieut. Frank Dickson and Lieut. Harold S. Brewster has met with a nasty accident, which might easily have resulted very seriously. On the eve of his departure from England with the regulars, and having just bid farewell to his Brantford companions in the 36th, Lieut. Walsh fell in the darkness over a 15 foot cliff, breaking his right shoulder. He was taken to Helena Hospital, Shorncliffe, England, where he is now confined. In a letter, scribbled with his left hand to Fire Chief D.J. Lewis, Lieut. Walsh states that he will rejoin his Canadian battalion at the end of his convalescence. The letter to Chief Lewis, which had enclosed several snapshots of Lieut. Walsh on horseback and showing him to be apparently in the best of health, reads as follows:

October 11, 1915
Helena Hospital, Shorncliffe

Dear Dan,

Fell over 15 foot cliff and broke my right shoulder. Next night a Sergt. Stevenson fell over the same place. He died today. Pretty lucky for me. I am with the Royal Canadian regulars, and was to have left this week. Now I’ll go back to the 36th. I was out there saying goodbye to the boys, and on my way back the accident happened. It was pitch dark and I did not know my way very well, as the 36th recently went into huts at Sandling West. This means a little rest and holiday.

Harris L. Walsh

P.S. – Of course am writing with my left hand. Regards to all the boys.

BX July 14, 1915

Major M.A. Colquhoun Has Been Recommended for Colonelcy – Interesting Newsy-Letter From Lieut. Harris L. Walsh, Formerly on the Expositor Staff and Now With the 36th Battalion C.E.F., Encamped Among 50,000 Canadian Troops at Shorncliffe, England – Uproarious Demonstration Greeted Voyagers as the “Corsican” Steamed Into Plymouth Harbor – Local Sergeant Promoted

That Major M.A. Colquhoun of this city, now commanding the 4th Battalion, C.E.F., in France, has been recommended for a colonelcy, is one of the items of particular interest to Brantfordites in a letter received by The Expositor from Lieut. Harris L. Walsh, now with the 36th Battalion, C.E.F. (Colonel Ashton’s command), in Shorncliffe, Eng. There they are receiving the final touches to their training before going on active service. The letter reads:

July 1, 1915
Risborough Barracks,
Shorncliffe,

Dear Expositor,

The Brantford Battalion, the 36th, C.E.F. – without incident of note outside of splendid demonstrations going and coming, and a splendid trip across – is now in its last stage of camp life and training before departing for the completion of the great objective of the Empire in whatever part of the world the regiment may be called. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Plymouth, Southwest London and every place intermediate where the men of Col. Ashton’s regiment appeared gave demonstrations of loyalty and cheer to the boys in khaki which will live always in their memory.

At Plymouth Hoe

As the steamer Corsican passed slowly amid innumerable naval craft from Plymouth Sound into the recesses of Plymouth Hoe, the whole city seemed to open its doors, filling the streets on one side with women, children and men, the women waving their aprons and everyone cheering madly the Canadians. On the other side were the naval training ships with their thousands of sturdy youngsters yelling and cheering as only Britishers can. The 36th band played “O Canada” and other airs, and the scene was hard to realize or appreciate. There were officers and men who could only stand mute, their eyes filling and their hearts filled, and filled deeply, too, with a sense of stern duty and lofty patriotism.

From The Ship

First were seen the beautiful hills of Devonshire and then was witnessed what stood behind these shores of freedom.

Submarines

All the world has heard of submarines, but the submarine war is not bothering England, at least not military or naval England. To the unprotected, the hapless fishing craft, the unarmed hospital ship or the ordinary sailing craft there is some occasion to worry, but anything with a gun on it, except under special circumstances, will scarcely be a victim of any German submarine. The unter vater love a British torpedo boat like a rat loves a terrier. In all shipping circles in England it is known that the submarines are taking no chances on boats that are armed, but quickly dive under water once they are sighted. In Canada it is a matter of pride and wonderment that no troop ship with British soldiers has yet been torpedoed by German submarines. It is not seemly to boast, but the present confidence of those at present be continued in Britain’s ability to guard the safety of her ships on all the high seas. How she does it is a matter for history after the war.

Great Workers

The Corsican was unloaded Tuesday…. This baggage had to be taken from the lowest depths of the Corsican, loaded on another boat of lighter draft, unloaded again at the docks then reloaded on the train. The train was off for Shorncliffe at 5.15 p.m. and arrived after a nine hour ride. The luggage men from Brantford were on duty 24 hours straight, and enjoyed a well earned rest next day.

Camp in General

By way of welcome to the Canadians on Wednesday the camp, an especially pretty spot overlooking the sea, got two fine deluges from the weather man. “Hover ‘one” twitted the ultra-Canadians of those Canadians returning after an absence of a few years only. There are, it is said, 50,000 Canadians now here. Col. Howard has extended an invitation to all Brantford officers to visit him. Major Newman and Lieut. Geo. Cockshutt with the other Brantford boys of the 19th Battalion are close by the 36th and in fine shape. Sergt. Dockray, Bugler Rolands and other wounded are here recovering rapidly from Langemarck. Good news also comes from France that Capt. Colquhoun has been recommended for the colonelcy of the Fourth Battalion while Lieut. Fred Miller, now Capt. Miller, is adjutant of the battalion. These promotions must be a matter of pride to Brantford.

Some Promotions

In the 36th, orders recently issued permanent appointments of N.C.O.’s were made. Sergt. Foyle was made senior sergeant and Sergeant Bellingham next. They belong to Nos. 4 and 3 platoons respectively, both of whom hail from the Dufferin Rifles. The leading corporal is Corp. E. Roberts, and the leading Lance Corporal, S. Pizzey, both from No. 4 platoon under Lieut. Walsh. Sergt. Foyle is thus due for the first sergeant majorship, and Corp. Roberts for the first sergeantcy open.

Discipline

The word discipline may have a stern sound to the layman, but to the soldier it spells efficiency with large letters. From the very first Lieut.-Col. Ashton has insisted upon most rigid discipline in all ranks. There will be no rumblings over the sea about any laxity in this regard in the 36th Battalion. That was attended to in Canada in due time, and a parade to the orderly room is the one parade of all that men are advised and advised sternly to be absent from. Evidently the 36th like all other battalions is here for a protracted stay, before getting to France.

Just now it is a matter of fitness and getting there. The battalion has not been tried out as yet in front of British officers, but all ranks are keen for the ‘once-over’ or the inspection.

Harris L. Walsh

In an appended postscript Lance-Corporal Little states that A. Michie, another Brantford boy has not yet been heard of and he believes he must have been killed. W. Laidlaw is wounded, he reports. He believes the war will be over this year.

BX December 24, 1915

November 29, 1915

West Sandling Camp
36th Battalion

The Expositor,
Brantford, Canada

My message home for Christmas, good luck to all our pals who are trying the fortunes of war for the first time in their lives. They will have their hardships, their temptations away from the environment of home, but they will come through. Let no one doubt that.

Yours sincerely
H.L. Walsh

BX February 26, 1916

Was Blown Out of Trench by Shell – Sergt. Fred Hetherington Had a Narrow Escape From Death

Sergt. Fred Hetherington, recently reported wounded, had a very narrow escape from death being blown out of a trench by a German shell. So writes Lieut. Harris L. Walsh, formerly on The Expositor staff, from the front line trenches in a letter to a friend. He writes:

Received your kind letter the other night in the trenches. At present we are now on our usual four day rest in billets. Our last trip was the most “doing” of any yet for me, as Fritz took particular pains to give my platoon a shelling on two consecutive days. There was an entire lack of neighborly feeling because we have a trench mortar regarded as a real nuisance by the enemy. Hence friction ensued.

I am sorry to report that Sergt. Fred Hetherington, my platoon sergeant, was blown out of a dugout, but he landed right side up, with no other injuries than those of shock. Despite the fact that he did not want to report to the M.O., I convinced him he should do so. He is now in the hospital and should be O.K. in a short time. He had a close call as well as a hard smash. “Fred” is a well-known Brantford indoor ball player.

Col. Colquhoun and Brantford officers and men are going along well. The colonel wished particularly to be remembered to you.

With very kind regards,

H.L. Walsh

BX March 17, 1916

“Come Along Boys the Water’s Fine” – The First Four Days of French Warfare as Seen by Brantford Man – A Great Life – Service in Khaki is a Wonderful Experience – The “Nuts” Have Made a Reputation, And All Are Needed at the Front

February 25, 1916
Dans Les Tranchees

Whenever I get up here on the odd side of “No Man’s Land” I feel like writing home. In billets, I generally find I have developed writer’s cramp, but up here there is so much to keep a fellow awake and alive, also so much time between odd jobs, that one feels constrained to write by way of distraction. We have been in the trenches for the first 24 hours of our regular tour of duty. This is the first real Canadian weather we have had. It is cold, and the ground has just a rabbit-hunting covering of snow. We break ice in the morning in the various shell holes for our ablutions, and believe me it is very refreshing after a night of anxious waiting and watching.

You know and we know that the Huns have gas; also that it takes a favorable wind for the blooming old gas to have any effect. Well, Fritz has had the wind with him recently, and we have had to be wide awake. And when we are on our rounds we have to watch every man to see that he is not napping. Smoke helmets, of course, are always on. It is quite a trial both for officers and men, and when the people at home wonder what we do, why we are not advancing, they must remember that we are simply holding, and that every tour of the trenches is a battle in itself and deserving of a separate ribbon. Vigilance always, and “making assurance doubly sure,” to use a favorite expression.

Barring the element of surprise no one cares a hang now for German gas. “Let them come on” is often heard among rank and file, who have every confidence that the Huns cannot penetrate our line.

Days of Strafe

We have our days of “Strafe” quite regularly, rifle grenades and whizz bangs. They take their toll, but our retaliation, sometimes three and sometimes fifteen to one, must also mean something. We own “No Man’s Land.”  German patrols are seldom seen at night and if they are beat a hasty retreat. At any part of the long line they might all of a sudden overwhelm us, but nobody believes it here on the spot. You have heard of the cheerful Tommy, of the grouchy, grumbling Tommy, they are both the same. Give these lads something to do; give them a fight, and they’ll show all that is true of the breed. Who can blame them for the daily grouch over a routine existence of hardship and hard living?  We are all living a tough life and trench living saps our good condition. Let the boys at home remember that fitness or unfitness will make or mar them as soldiers of the Empire.

To Those On the Way

From the cold dugout, rat ridden and with vermin, too, I send a message of cheer to those who are coming. Let no one hesitate – we need men, young men, the jaunty chaps who can pick out the best looking girls at our summer band socials. In England, they call these chaps the “nuts,” but the “nuts” have made good abundantly. They have won Victoria Crosses. Our Canadian Brantford “nuts” can do the same thing. I am sorry I cannot say in this letter what I would like to. I will say again we need the men, and we must have them. For anyone who pulls through in France or Belgium, it’s a great life, a wonderful experience, and when at some future time the question is asked, “What did my daddy do in the Great War?” a proud answer can be given. I can think of no greater appeal than that, either to the unmarried or married man. Come along in, boys, the water’s fine.

Yours Sincerely
H.L.W.

BX June 20, 1916

Is Doing Well

That there is no case for anxiety in the condition of Lt. Harris L. Walsh, recently reported wounded at the front, is the reassuring cable received in the city from Mr. Lloyd Harris. The cable was sent by Mr. Harris to his office here. In it he states that he had seen Lt. Walsh and that he was doing well and there was no need for anxiety.

BX August 15, 1916

Graphic Letter From Harris L. Walsh Who Has Recently Passed Through an Operation, and is Off the Fighting Line – Third Battle of Ypres – War is No Joke – What the Canadian “Tommy” is Like

Lieut. Harris Walsh, who is now in a hospital at Ramsgate, Kent, Eng., writes a most entertaining letter to a friend in Brantford, in the course of which he tells of an operation he has recently undergone. The letter is as follows:

July 31, 1916
Granville Special Hospital,
Ramsgate, Kent

Dear Friend,

I have recently been a poor correspondent because the surgical men have had something hanging over my head for some time, and now that they have got it “off their chest,” so to speak, I might loosen up a little and let you know what’s what. I was operated upon last Thursday, as the puncture which Fritz left in my right arm as a result of the ration of shrapnel he gave me, June 13, was not designed to close in without impairing, possibly permanently, the use of my digits and forearm. Accordingly I was carved up, skin-grafted, stitched up and again placed at the tender mercy of real Canadian nurses. When I woke up I had fought the third battle of Ypres all over again. Needless to say I am doing well.

It is a glorious thing, as the saying goes, to shed blood for one’s country, but I liken getting hit by shrapnel in a big show to a cross between getting the concentrated kick from 12 mules simultaneously and being in the cellar when the gas explodes. Adding to this, the knowledge that your neighbor’s cellar, and your neighbor’s, neighbor’s cellar, and so on ad infin, are exploding or going to explode, one might get a picture of the last half hour before the attack, or what is known in military parlance as the final artillery preparation. It is in this last half hour that Fritz has fully made up his mind you are coming over after him, and of course, what is often mentioned in Berlin communiqués as “our curtain of fire” is thrown at you where you sit, waiting for the minute to jump over. With our artillery and Frit’s official “curtain” it is Hell cut loose. It was during this loosening up process that your humble servant was favored in the early morning of June 13 with a shrapnel wound which still renders participation in the conflict a matter only of hospital diet.

The Third Battle of Ypres

The battle is now known as the third battle of Ypres, covering the ground skirting left to right of Hill 60, where Generals Mercer and Williams were lost, and where many of us fear Lieut. Harvey Cockshutt went down on June 2. The Boche had, besides blowing a mine that day, put over a terrific bombardment, and it fell largely on the C.M.R.’s to hold. It was a fierce pluck which enabled a retirement and a reconsolidation a short way back, but the positions lost had to be retaken, they were on the morning of June 13, on a frontage of 1,500 yards. The original line was restored and still stands. Ypres, the Canadian monument in Flanders, still remains British.

Beyond Description

Reverting to the last half hour. It is beyond description. I have searched the screed of the best of the present continental scribes for something which seems suitable wherewith to describe a real bombardment. I have failed to find it. All I can say is that Bertha Von Krupp just threw everything she had at us, and she wasn’t a bit particular where she threw it. Our own artillery, everything we had in the blessed old Ypres salient, was not outdone, however. For miles the sky was a sunset red, and all this in a blinding rainstorm, 12.30 a.m. It was not permitted me to go over and see the wreck and ruin caused because Fritz, or rather Bertha Krupp, spared me. The boys who did, however, and who joined me later in the hospital train agreed that there had been nothing like what our guns had done just previously to, and on that fateful morning of June 13. A hundred prisoners whom I saw at the clearing station in the early dawn looked the part as well. They were Wurttenbergers but the Duke would have to give them more than the “once over” to recognize his pets.

The Canadian Tommy

It was the second real show I had been in, in my six months, a period largely filled in with trench routine, working parties at night, inspections in billets and route marches. It is here I want to speak of the Canadian Tommy. Don’t imagine I am going to draw a picture of the cheerful ever-smiling, laughing, whistling Jimmy!  The Canadian Tommy is no such being. You’ll find him one of the best kickers you ever heard. Fed up with the war, well rather, when he is sitting round billets. Going up to the trenches tonight, fed up, yes?  Coming out of the trenches for a six day rest, fed up, decidedly?  “Orders in for an attack, we’re on the left of -----Company.”  Is he fed up now?  Don’t ask him, you don’t need to. Just watch how he is spending the last two or three hours, his rifle, his equipment, water bottle, rations, ammunition, bombs, even shovels and picks!  Look at him after his N.C.O. about things!  He is the busiest man in camp. Serious business of course, but Tommy Canuck has an interest in life at last; a real scrap on the horizon. All the time he’s wishing it will be a hand to hand affair, but he will be disappointed if it is only artillery. Stick it, of course, and take his chance!  The indomitable spirit to get at them is there, however, showing all over. Hardships don’t count in the face of this. At other ordinary times he is the best little example of a grouch in the British army over and inconvenience. And there you have him!  Our men are splendid, and everyone who has ever had a command will say the same thing. 

War is no Joke

Still, war is no joke. It is just such a war, which is so terrible in its wastage, will rivet peace on the world for a century. The nearer one gets to the inner zone, the greater does the wastage seem.

Well, dear friend, you asked me for some impressions and I have given them. From where I sit I can see the Goodwin Sands at low tide. The commerce of the world still goes up here to the estuary of the Thames a few miles away. Two German aeroplanes flew around on Sunday and church-goers hurried home. Personally I felt too small a target for a bomb to hit, dropped from 6,000 to 7,000 feet in the heavens, so I was not concerned. They say, however, that some of these bombs do hit some times, but as a rule there is peace here for all the patients, outside of two perpetual motion music halls on the pier. The fourteenth performance today in the one under my window has started. Good night!

Yours
Harris L. Walsh,

BX June 15, 1916

Lt. Harris Walsh Reported Wounded – Announcement Made in Casualty List This Afternoon

The casualty list issued this afternoon from Ottawa reported that Lieut. Harris L. Walsh of this city has been wounded.

Lieutenant Walsh was formerly a member of The Expositor staff. He was news editor of The Courier when he went overseas with a detachment from the 38th Dufferin Rifles of Canada in the Third Contingent. He is a married man, his wife residing on Bedford Street.

In October, 1915 he broke his shoulder falling over a cliff in England. Lieut. Walsh was a member of the 36th Battalion and after his arrival in England was transferred to the 4th Battalion, under Lieut.-Col. Colquhoun.

BX June 15, 1916

Lieut. Walsh Was Wounded in Arm – Mrs. Harris L. Walsh Received Cablegram From Him Stating Wound Was Not Serious – He Had Made Good

Lieut.-Col. M.A. Colquhoun, officer commanding the “Mad Fourth” Battalion, when informed of the wounding of Lieut. Harris Walsh, one of his officers, last evening expressed his great sorrow at the news.

High praise was given Lieut. Walsh by his commanding officer. “He played the game all the way through.” Said Col. Colquhoun, “there is no better officer at the front. He is first class, thorough in his work and has all kinds of nerve.

“I can’t speak too highly of him and all the other officers will tell you the same thing. I just wish I could be kept supplied with such officers as Harris Walsh till the end of the war and I would not worry. He is as good an officer as they make, and if he is wounded I have lost a good officer.”

Lieut. Walsh was a member of the 36th Battalion when he went overseas, but after he got to England was drafted to the 4th Battalion. “He came to my battalion about Christmas,” said Col. Colquhoun, “and has certainly made good.”

Col. Colquhoun was of the opinion that it was not in the recent heavy fighting that Lieut. Wash suffered his wound. It might have been, he said, by a sniper, a shell bursting, a mortar or one of a dozen different ways. Everyday officers and men are hit even when the battalion is not in battle.

Wounded in Arm

Particulars of the wounding were incomplete till the middle of the afternoon, when his wife received a cablegram from him stating that he had been wounded in the arm. The first notification was received by The Expositor in the casualty list.

BX June 21, 1916
 
Where Local Officers Are

Lieutenant Harris L. Walsh, who was recently shot in the right arm, is now in the Royal Free Hospital in London, England, Lieutenant Thomas Roy Coleman is in the hospital at Boulogne, suffering from shot in the head, and Lieutenant John Richard Cornelius is in King’s College Hospital, suffering from concussion.

BX July 24, 1916

Must Undergo an Operation yet – Lieut. Harris L. Walsh May Come Home on Leave for Two Weeks

A postcard received this morning by The Expositor from Harris L. Walsh states that he is living in hopes of getting two weeks leave back to the city. Although he writes he is in fine shape, he adds that it will be necessary to have an operation on his arm, which will require skin grafting, etc. His many friends will be pleased to welcome him back to Brantford, if only for a short time.

BX August 28, 1916

Is Coming Home

Lieut. Harris L. Walsh is coming home on two months leave of absence, his father having received this word on Saturday. Lieut. Walsh was badly wounded recently.

BX September 14, 1916

Reached Halifax

Lieutenant Harris L. Walsh of the 36th Battalion has arrived at Halifax on his way home on furlough, he having been wounded recently. He immediately left for Quebec.

BX September 18, 1916

Brantford’s First Overseas Officers Due For Promotion – Have Done Splendid Work at the Front – Lieut. Harris L. Walsh, Bronzed and Hearty Looking, Returns Home on Furlough – Major Towers Rose from the Ranks to His Present Position – Tributes to the Canadian Organization B.S.M. Bolt Receives Commission

Lieut. Harris L. Walsh, of the 4th Battalion, who slipped so unceremoniously into the city on Friday evening last, only a few of his more intimate friends being aware that he was in the city until it was announced in The Expositor on Saturday, is home on a short furlough and will return to resume his duties in about three or four weeks’ time. When interviewed as is usual with Brantford soldiers who return from the scene of the conflict, he had practically nothing to say with regard to himself, but spoke very highly of the Brantford officers with whom he came in contact during his travels, and also of Brantford’s N.C.O.’s and men.

Asked as to how long he though the war would last, he replied, “Those who are there yet and those who have come away, know as little about it as those living here.”  Personally he believes that those who made the remark that Kitchener would not be six months out either way when he said the war would last three years, had just about hit the nail on the head.

Asked how the conditions were over there he replied, “The conditions in the salient are simply terrible. There was not a minute in the day from the time the Canadians went in early in the year when the conflict was anything in the nature of a love fest. If the Canadians are out of the salient, as is reported, they left exactly the same line going out as was handed over to them going in.

“In spite of long hours of strain two of the most wonderful features of the way the war is being carried on are the commissariat and the medical service. To feed an army of millions and to take care of thousands of wounded in clocklike manner the British and Canadian authorities, who are practically new in the big war game, are certainly performing a most remarkable and creditable feat. The same spirit to win victory and peace prevails now as it did at the early commencement of the war, not only amongst the troops, but also among those civilians, even including women and children, who live and carry on the pursuits of life right in the very zone of war amid all kinds of danger.”

Is Going To France

Lieut. Walsh left England on Sept. 4 on the Olympic and after a five day trip arrived in Halifax safely. Just before leaving Sandling he stated that he saw Lieut.-Col. Ashton, who expects to go to France shortly in charge of a brigade in one of the new divisions. All of the Brantford officers around Sandling were doing exceptionally well, including Paymaster Captain William Miller, who, by the way, was soon due for his majority.

Praise For Officers 

Of his senior officers in the 4th Battalion, including Col. Colquhoun, C.O., Major Percy Jones, Major Towers, Brigade Captain Freddie Miller and Lieut. Hart, D.C.M., who won his commission out there, Lieut. Walsh spoke very highly, stating that all were in fine shape. All the officers had made remarkably good. Major Jones had been with the battalion right from the very first, through every possible fracas and was still bearing the strain. Undoubtedly he was due for promotion. Brigade Captain Freddie Miller was also due for his majority, and believed would get it soon. Major Towers, who enlisted at Vancouver, had recently received his promotion, although he enlisted as a private. Such promotions as these spoke for themselves.
The sergeants and other N.C.O.’s from Brantford would also form a particularly bright chapter in the military history which would be written when this war was over. The N.C.O.’s as well as the privates were wonderful chaps who would go through anything and take or do anything they were called upon to do, without grouching or complaining. The boys appreciated very much all the things the home folks were doing for them, and it was only natural to expect that they would be glad to get home as he himself was, and meet old friends. “I carry a return ticket and will return in three or four weeks’ time, if spared.” He commented.

Witnessed Air Raids

Regarding the damage that was being done by Zeppelin raids, Lieut. Walsh stated that among the other interesting sights he had witnessed were several raids by German Zeppelins. The protection there was now so wonderfully good that the occupants of the machines would take no chances in coming down very low. They had to drop their bombs from a distance of about two miles up in the air and their range so far away was very poor. From his own personal observation the damages, as reported in the newspapers, had been very slight.

He told of having seen Company Sergt.-Major William Bolt just previous to leaving Sandling. Company Sergt.-Major Bolt, who left with the 36th Battalion in January 1915, had proven himself to be a very efficient man and had just received his commission, which he had won on his own merits.

Lieut. Walsh is looking quite fit, his arm being practically all right again, although he will always carry the scar resulting from the wound he received in that memorable third battle of Ypres. He was wounded on the morning of June 13, and was in the hospital up till August 25, where he was accorded the best of treatment. He highly praised the efficiency of the mail service at the front, stating that he believed the majority of the missives sent reached their destination safely.

Lieut. Walsh came back on duty as far as Cobourg, where a number of unfortunate chaps who returned with him were out from being slightly mentally defected to be treated at the convalescent home there.

BX January 18, 1915

Was Given a Signet Ring – Lieut. Harris L. Walsh Honored by the Employees of The Courier on Saturday

After the last form had been sent down at The Courier Saturday noon the employees assembled in the editorial rooms to bid farewell to Harris L. Walsh, B.A. for the past two years news editor of the paper, who is going to the front as a lieutenant with the Dufferin Rifles third contingent.  On behalf of his associates George Crooks, the oldest employee of the paper, presented to Lt. Walsh a handsome signet ring, at the same time expressing his co-workers appreciation of Mr. Walsh, many good qualities and his loyalty in answering to the call of his country.

BX February 2, 1915

Comforts for Lieut. Walsh – House Committee of the Children’s Shelter Made Presentation to Popular Officer

A very happy event took place yesterday afternoon at the Children’s Shelter on Chatham Street, when the ladies of the house committee accepted the occasion to express their appreciation of the many kindnesses shown them by Lieut. Harris L. Walsh, who leaves shortly with the members of the third contingent for active service abroad and their sincere wishes for his safe return.  Lieut. Walsh was taken completely by surprise when Mrs. John Ker, the convener of the committee asked him to accept as a slight token of their gratitude a complete supply of comforts for active service, which include pneumonia jackets, cholera belts, wristlets, balaclava cap, drinking cup in leather case, medical outfit, heavy woolen mitts, smoker’s outfit and a number of other articles which will be of the greatest service to him at the front.  Not the least of the gifts which Lieut. Walsh was asked to accept from the house committee was a little booklet, prettily designed and cleverly executed by D.G. Husband, in which the gallant officer is depicted in colors as experiencing a dream on the night of his enlistment. In a series of daintily tinted pictures the recipient is portrayed as hurling a grenade from the ranks of the Canadians into the German lines, the missile succeeding in doing inestimable damage.  Again his dream reveals a most courageous action on the fields of battle, in which Lieut. Walsh, of course, is the dauntless hero.  He flies in an aeroplane into the forbidden hidings of the German warlord, captures the Kaiser and brings him in a case, to the feet of Kitchener, who is immediately overcome by the greatness of the feat.  Our hero is deservedly thanked by King George and straight away gazetted a field marshal and commissioned to take his prisoner to St. Helena.  But it is all a dream and the fine picture in the little booklet finds Lieut. Walsh being disturbed from his slumber to return to his daily labours.

Though taken by surprise, Lieut. Walsh responded in excellent style and conveyed his heartiest appreciation of the kindnesses shown by the ladies of the house committee.

BX March 29, 1915

Popular Officers Were Remembered by Friends – Presentations Made to Lieut. Finley D. Fraser and Lieut. Harris L. Walsh in the Officers’ Mess at the Armouries Saturday Evening

A very pleasant gathering was held in the officers’ mess of the Dufferin Rifles Saturday evening, the occasion being the making of presentations on behalf of the “boys” to Lieut. Harris L. Walsh, and on behalf of the city to Lieut. Finley D. Fraser and Lieut. Harris L. Walsh.

The first presentation was made to Lieut. Harris L. Walsh, Chief F.J. Lewis reading an address from his friends in the city, while at the appropriate moment A.K. Bunnell presented him with a gold wrist watch and a shaving set for war use.

On behalf of the city Mayor J.H. Spence then presented to Lieut. Finley D. Fraser and Lieut. Harris L Walsh a pair of automatic pistols, as a gift from the citizens.  In making the presentation, he commented that as the officers were ready to give up their lives for their country they should be well equipped for their work.

Lieut. Frank Dickson, the other officer of the Dufferin Rifles active service company, had previously received a gift from the city in the form of a pair of binoculars, when he was with the second contingent.

Following upon the presentations a number of addresses of a congratulatory nature were given by members of the gathering, including Lieut.-Col. Genet, Ald. T.E. Ryerson, Mayor Spence, Major Ballachey and W.S. Brewster, K.C.

The address read to Lieut. Walsh from his personal friends in the city, was as follows:

Lieutenant Harris L. Walsh
36th Battalion
Third Expeditionary Force,
Brantford, Ontario

Dear Harris,

When you became inspired with patriotism and heard the noble call, “Your King and Country Need You,” you gave up a prominent position to follow the good old profession “Arms.”  You look every inch a soldier and no small one at that, and we know you will give a good account of yourself in the responsible and arduous work allotted to you.

A number of your friends thought they would endeavor to give you some slight token of their regard, and after careful enquiry and much thought, decided upon the solid gold wrist watch and shaving set which we now ask you to accept.

Your many friends and fellow citizens in Brantford will follow your future career with interest, and hope and pray you will be permitted to return safely, covered with honours to your loved ones.

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