William Walsh 1894-1916

WALSH

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:30

3 July 1916 - The Clinton Advertiser page 7

CLINTON BOY IS KILLED IN TRAIN WRECK
WILLIAM WALSH, A RECRUIT IN THE BRITISH ARMY
ON HIS WAY HOME
To Join the Army of the United States--Killed Near Boston, Mass.

On his way home from Canada as a recruit in the British army to enlist his services in the army of Uncle Sam, William Walsh, 424 North Second street, met death in a train wreck near Boston, Mass., Sunday, according to a message received by Ed. Walsh of the Central fire department, a brother, from John Clark, another Clinton boy, who was with William Walsh in Nova Scotia.

The two Clinton boys enlisted early in April, and left Detroit, where they were employed, to enter training in the mountains of Nova Scotia with the Canadian recruits. According to their contracts if trouble between Mexico and the United States came, the American boys were to be released at once and set home to join the United States army if they wished.

When the call came for the Iowa National Guards to mobilize, Captain Brandt of Battery A sent a telegram to the war department to have the Clinton boys released. This was done as soon as the necessary papers were made out, and the two boys left the training camp to come back home.

The message received Sunday evening simply said that William Walsh had been killed in a train wreck. It was sent from Boston. Nor further particulars were learned.

Mrs. Eliza Walsh, mother of the dead boy, received a postal card from her son Monday saying that the two boys were on their way home, and would arrive within a day or two. The card was mailed on the train before the two reached Boston. It bore the news that they were well, and was written Saturday afternoon.

John Clark will bring the body of his comrade back home, according to arrangements made by the boy's family Monday. He will arrive as soon as possible, probably Thursday night. No further arrangements have been made.

William Walsh was born in Clinton December 6, 1894. He was graduated from St. Patrick's school and later from the commercial department of the Clinton high school. He was at one time bookkeeper for the Edison company there. He was in their employ when he enlisted in the Canadian army.

Besides his mother, Mr. Walsh leaves three brothers and one sister. They are Ed and Oliver of Clinton, John of Detroit and Anna Walsh at home.

5 July 1916 - The Clinton Advertiser page 6

The body of William Walsh, who was killed in a train wreck near Boston Sunday afternoon while on his way home from the English army training camp in Canada, will arrive Wednesday evening , in charge of John Clark, a Clinton boy, who was a companion at the time of the accident.

The funeral will be held at St. Patrick's church Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, in charge of the Rev. J. A. Murray, pastor. Burial will be made in St. Mary's cemetery.

6 July 1916 - The Clinton Advertiser page 6

On account of the late arrival of the body of William Walsh, who was killed Sunday in a train wreck near Boston, the funeral has been changed to Friday morning at 9 o'clock, when it will be held at St. Patrick's church, in charge of the Rev. Father Murray. Burial will be made at St. Mary's cemetery.

7 July 1916 - The Clinton Advertiser page 6

FUNERAL OF WM. WALSH IS IMPRESSIVE
LAST SERVICE SAID FOR YOUNG MAN KILLED IN ACCIDENT
FATHER MURRAY OFFICIATES
Hundreds of Friends Attend Funeral
Body Laid to Rest in St. Mary's

Funeral services were held at St. Patrick's church at 9 o'clock Friday for William Walsh, son of Mrs. Eliza Walsh who met an accidental death near Boston last Sunday on his way home from Canada, where he was serving as a recruit in the English army.

Hundred of friends of the family and members of the parish were gathered to pay their last respects to the young man, when the funeral cortege moved from the house to the Catholic church on Elm street, where the requiem mass was said by the Rev. Father J. A. Murray, pastor.

The coffin was covered with flowers, testifying to the esteem in which the young man was held by his friends. Among the pieces was a football of red roses from the High school football team of 1914 of which Mr. Walsh was a member. In the center of the ball were the words "Our Fullback 1914." The pall bearers were Harold Clancy, Edward Murphy, Carl Mitchell, Harry Morrison, William Hosack, Frank Harding, John Clark and Charles Dunn.

Father Murray paid a high tribute to the ill-fated young man. He said his one virtue that was most conspicuous was attachment and dutifulness to his mother. He proved this through a communication which the priest said he received some ten days ago from Captain Jackson in Nova Scotia, inquiring about the boy's mother, to whom young Walsh ordered the captain to remit his monthly pay.

He said the boy who loves and serves his mother will love and serve his country, and vice versa. He showed this in Mr. Walsh, who when the country was at peace joined the American Legion in Canada, but when his own country was threatened by Mexico he at once severed allegiance with the foreign to join the colors of this own land, and it was while coming to don the khaki of "Battery A' that he met his tragic death in Boston. Father Murray paid a high tribute to the soldier, sacrificing even life itself on the altar of his country.

William Walsh was born in Clinton December 6, 1894. He was a lifelong member of St. Patrick's church, and was graduated from St. Patrick's school. Later he attended the Commercial department of the Clinton high school, where he was a favorite with the students and valued member of the football squad.

After completing his commercial course, Mr. Walsh was bookkeeper for the Ford Garage in Clinton. Later he went to Detroit, where he entered the employ of the Edison company. During his career with the Detroit company he earned three promotions for himself, going from office boy to superintendent of the construction and time keeping department. He was a member of the "sick and injured" committee of the Edison company, who visit the injured or sick employes of the firm at the hospitals in Detroit.

It was while on duty for his firm that Mr. Walsh became interested in the British army. While across the Canadian border on business, he was induced to join the recruits, and resigned his position to enlist. He entered the training camp in the mountains of Nova Scotia, where he was stationed when word went from Clinton that he was to be released to the United States for service in the American army.

John Clark, another Clinton boy, who was with him was released at the same time, and the two were on their way home. When near Boston, Walsh was struck by a train in the yards and was killed almost instantly. His body was brought home by his comrade.

Left to mourn the death of the young man are his mother, three brothers, Ed and Oliver of Clinton, and John of Detroit, and one sister, Anna, at home.