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Walsh, Richard James Hartland

Date of birth:
June 15th, 1920 (Montreal/Quebec, Canada)
Date of death:
December 29th, 1943 (Geesteren/Overijssel, The Netherlands)
Buried on:
Commonwealth War Graves Roman Catholic Cemetery Albergen
Grave: 3.
Service number:
R/225386
Nationality:
Canadian

Biography

Richard was born on June 15 1920 in Montreal, the son of James Emerson Walsh (deceased due to effects of WW1) and Winifred Bridgetta Walsh nee O’Neill (Irish) of Fenham Newcastle upon Tyne England and later Montreal Canada. His sister was Ivy White of Montreal.

He was an assistent golf professional and member of the United Church of Canada. His sports were further swimming, hockey, tennis and basketball and his hobby was collecting stamps.

He enlisted on September 9 1939 in Montreal and he served from this date till May 28 1943 with the 1st Bn of the Black Watch R.H.R. He went on September 4 1940 thereafter with this regiment overseas to Gourock Scotland. He enlisted on May 28 1943 then the RCAF in London England.

Richard was killed in action on Wednesday December 29 1943 age 23 due to a crash at the Vriezenveenseweg near Geesteren before or after an attack on Berlin in Germany.

The other fallen RCAF crew members were F/Sgt Arthur G. Innes age 31 in grave 7 and F/O Charles W. Peasland age 22 in grave 5.
The other fallen RAF Volunteer Reserve crew members were Sgt Barbie S. Ranson age 19 in grave 6 and F/Sgt Edward N. Parker age 21 in grave 4.
The other RCAF crew member F/O R.O Marrion survived the crash and he became then a prisoner of war and survived the war and the other RCAF crew member P/O. A.L. Merkley also survived the crash and he could evade but he was arrested on April 15 1944 in Belgium and he also became a prisoner of war.

He served with the 429 Sqdn Royal Canadian Air Force.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Sergeant
Unit:
No. 429 (Bison) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
Awarded on:
August 28th, 1943
Air Gunner Badge
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Sergeant
Unit:
No. 429 (Bison) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
Awarded on:
October 23rd, 1946
RCAF Operational Wings

Sources