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Biography
George Henry Walsh was born December 18, 1895 in St. Mary’s, Guysborough County. He was the son of John S. Walsh and Annie Boudrot. By 1916 his family had moved to Springfield, Antigonish County. Prior to enlistment, Walsh worked as a labourer in Springfield.
Walsh enlisted in the 193rd Battalion in Antigonish on April 24, 1916. He arrived in Liverpool, England aboard the S.S. Olympic on October 19, 1916. He was transfered to the 42nd Canadian Infantry Battalion in Witley, Surrrey on December 5, 1916. Walsh was transferred again on February 24, 1917 to the 85th Battalion. He joined the unit on the field in France March 5,1917. While serving in Vimy Ridge, France Walsh was injured by a gunshot wound on his right side on April 9, 1917. Walsh was sent to the 32nd Stationary Hospital in Wimereux on April 11, 1917. He was then sent to the Nova Scotia Regiment Depot in Bramshott on April 14, 1917, and was transported the following day to the 3rd Western General Hospital in Cardiff, Wales. On May 2, 1917 Walsh was sent to recover at the Canadian Convalescent Hospital, in Bear Wood, Wokingham on May 2, 1917 and was discharged from this hospital on June 23, 1917. Walsh was transferred to the 17th Reserve in Bramshott on August 24, 1917. He was then transferred back to the 85th Battalion and was sent overseas to France on October 11, 1917. On December 28, 1917 he was sent to the No 11. Canadian field ambulance after being gassed in the field. He later recovered and was sent back to his unit. Walsh was granted leave for permission to marry by his superiors on May 12, 1919. He married Josephine Mayne of Rixensart, Belgium in May of 1919. Walsh was sent to Canada on June 24, 1919. Walsh and his wife arrived in Québec City, Québec on July 2, 1919. Walsh was discharged due to demobolization July 4, 1919 in Québec City.
By 1921, Walsh and Mayne had moved to Minto, Sunbury County, New Brunswick, where Walsh worked as a miner. They went on to have 5 children, all born in Minto. Josephine Mayne died January 1, 1950 in Victoria Public Hospital, Fredericton, New Brunswick following a five week ilness. George Henry Walsh died in New Brunswick in 1976. He is buried in Saint Bridget’s Cemetery, Hardwood Ridge, Sunbury County, New Brunswick.
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