James Walsh EM

b. ? d. ?

DATE OF EM ACTION: 01/10/1919 between Mafeking and Johannesburg, South Africa.

Little is known about engine driver James Walsh other than his actions on 1st October 1919 on his train between Mafeking and Johannesburg, South Africa.

 

EM CITATION:

On  the  1st  October,  1919,  while a  passenger train of  the  South African Railways Administration   was   proceeding    from    Mafeking   to Johannesburg,   the  engine  developed  a  defect which  resulted  in  a  volume  of  scalding  steam escaping  from  the  boiler. Walsh,  the engine-driver,  was  severely  scalded,  but,  in  spite of this,  remained  on  his  engine   and  eventually succeeded  in bringing  the train  to  a standstill. As a result  of  the  injuries  he sustained,  Walsh spent  a  long  period  in  hospital and  will  never again  be  able  to  fallow  his  occupation  of  an engine-driver.    He displayed great bravery and’presence of mind, and,  as the train was running down a hill, there is little doubt that, if he had lost  control  of  his   engine,  a  serious  accident would  have  resulted. 

 

BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.

LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.