Friends of Hastings Cemetery

Alexander Sarsfield Walsh

He served during World War 1.  At the time of joining his employment is shown as Bank Cashier with the London County and Westminster Bank, High Street, Cheam SW.

He signed up  21 June 1915 Ashford. 240785 Pte Walsh A S -14th Reserve Battalion with The Buffs (East Kent).  Within 5 months he had risen to the substantive rank of Sergeant.

His service documents are not complete; the next records show that he was employed as a Bombing NCO Instructor, possibly at the Depot in Canterbury.  He was injured by a faulty explosive on 30 April 1917, and was sent to the Military Hospital Canterbury for treatment.  His wound resulted in his Thumb and 1st and 2nd ringers on Right Hand, being amputated.  The Board of Enquiry found that he was not at fault. He was medically downgraded and posted to 4th Reserve Battalion.  His next posting record, is to 202 Infantry Brigade HQ Colchester 31.July 1918.

It is quite possible that he was retained in a clerical/administrative role within the army because of his civilian background – ie Pay Masters.  He retained his rank.

He was discharged 23 May 1919, and his documents were passed to the Army Pensions Office, by the No. 2 Infantry Records Office. Houndslow.  It is unclear if he was granted any sort of disability pension; I would suspect some of the documents have been weeded.

 The 1911 Census documents show him lodging at 18 Brewer Street, Maidstone, and his occupation as that of Bank Clerk.  He died 13 March 1925 and according to the Probate records left £218 1s 2d. He is recorded as still living at 54 West Hill Road, St Leonards. The same address is as appears on his Army Pension documents.