Chief Petty Officer Ronald Walsh Hong Kong Flotilla.

Life & Career:  British schoolchild at Royal Hospital School, Ipswich, GB, 1933-1935; boy seaman served aboard HMS Iron Duke and HMS Glasgow in GB coastal waters, 1936-1938; absent from Royal Navy in GB, 1938-1940; served aboard HMS Foylebank in GB coastal waters, 1940 including sinking in Portland Harbour, 7/1940; served as asdic operator aboard HMS Bulldog in Atlantic, 1940-1941; served aboard HMS Windsor in GB coastal waters and Arctic, 1941; served aboard HMS Acute, 12th Minesweeping Flotilla in Mediterranean, 1942-1943; served aboard HMS Kingsmill in US and during Normandy landings, 1943-1944. Various postings with Royal Navy and Fleet Air Arm, 1945-1950 and 1953-1969. 

Below is a link to the 90 minutes. Parts 1-3 of Ron are recording for the Imperial War Museum. Just click and play.

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80024843

A Eulogy for Shipmate Ron Walsh- Peter Yeates & John Metherell

Ron would probably not thank us for this. Nevertheless we are here today in this place in the Company of a Hero. CPO Ronald Walsh Royal Navy.

He is the last wartime veteran of what we now term “the Hong Kong Flotilla Boat Boys.

Never forgetting his so numerous Royal Navy Ships, but in particular he is a member of the “Ton Class” our sister association, he was once Coxswain of HMS Coniston.

I am very proud to do this.

Ron was my Hero.  

But firstly, this tribute, such as it is, is a joint one. Myself together with my Shipmate and close oppo, John Metherell. , secretary of the Hong Kong flotilla. 

This is our tribute together.

We shall never forget this British Sailor, with the heart as resolute as his native New Forest Oaks. The cheeky chap who walked amongst mines on D Day Sword Beach and from there thumbed a lift into the first liberated city in occupied France, Bayeux. 

A man whose life’s story is so historic, and quite frankly astonishing and unique.  

John Metherell with his beloved late wife Violet was part of a foursome of flotilla friendship. A friendship that blossomed through the flotilla, for some 15 years.  Violet and John, and Jean and Ron Walsh. Then came sadly and suddenly, Violet’s early passing.  

But the three Jean John & Ron continued to sustain each other. John, in devoted friendship with Ron and Jean, with frequent, weekly visits. He accompanied them to many Navy Association events. 

Memories with chauffeur Jean driving (Ron in the back, .relaxed) driving in Jean’s inimitable fashion, she is a professionally trained Wren driver. 

There was no wasting of time in the slow lane with driver Jean, as John will tell us; he was sat in the co-pilots seat. 

Memories of too much rum, at my 2007 Golden Wedding when that foursome Vi & John, Jean & Ron graced, Brenda and I with their presence. 

In Ron’s later years, the load on Ron’s Jean gradually increased. But Jean with her devotion, love and care through those late years was a shining rare example of devoted attention.  It was hard, it was outstanding, and she did it mostly alone, except of course when she rarely asked for help. 

Ron loved his Jean, his family and they of course loved him, a marvellous no doubt Grandfather and Great Grandfather.

Chief petty officer Ronald Walsh Royal Navy 1939 1945 star, Atlantic Star, Africa Star, Italy star, war medal, and French Legion of Honour, which he is yet to receive. In 1956 , 59 years ago, I was a 19-year-old national service ordinary Seaman, serving together with John Metherell in the Hong Kong Flotilla  Petty officer Ronald Walsh was already a war veteran aged 36, and the experienced coxswain of her Majesty’s motor launch 3512.A senior rating even then,  on which his 23 year old Captain relied on. 

Some of you may wonder why there is that toy monkey aboard Ron’s last Ship. It’s a symbol of memory, presented to Ron some years ago at a Reunion. Seriously, the presence of the monkey is also important, because it signals the love Ron has throughout his life for animals.

You see Ron rescued a real monkey in 1956 in Hong Kong from cruelty, and he completely trained him. Ron equipped the monkey with a nappy for night-time. The monkey, or Tarzan as he was named, actually went to sea aboard 3512.  The monkey became the Ship’s Company mascot of 3512 However on one patrol, at sea, no one could find Tarzan. He was considered as a crew member now, had fallen overboard and was lost at sea.  The Captain I understand was persuaded to come about and proceeded to search for the crew member Tarzan. The monkey was not found. Serious business resumed. The Telegraphist was required to go to his caboose and send an important signal regarding the Patrol. Only to discover the monkey was tearing up and chewing up all his signals and his valuable paperwork. We understand that Tarzan the monkey did not have to attend Captain’s Table. Tarzan was forgiven.

But there are many of Ron’s life stories.

A remarkable life, full of adventure, mishap and challenge. His book “In Company of Heroes” is an incredible story of that life lived to the full. Fortunately there is a record together with Ron’s book. Ron’s Imperial War Museum recording is a 90 mins in length, is available for us all to obtain via the internet, and listen to. To hear his rich Lymington Hampshire accent again is a treat.

If ever there was an English Sailor with a heart of New Forest Oak it was our Ron. His life was so full and exceptional. During life he was such an interesting, articulate, accomplished man, and we are fortunate to have this record. Ron was of course a gentleman of principle. He told the truth of his life, features and facts which lesser men would not disclose.

He compromised very little from the lifetime lessons he had learned.

He would not loudly voice his displeasure with those he disagreed with; he simply turned his back on them. I saw this example at a Landing Craft Reunion once, when someone approached our table spilling his fabrications. Ron was no doubt a stubborn, proud man. I could listen to him relating his life stores for hours. He was so articulate and graphic in his descriptions. An educated man. 

A Normandy Veteran, he was the last of those precious few. who gave to this present generations, freedom. Freedom that they sometimes do not realise was so hard won. 

His experience as a young OD aboard the Foylebank when she was attacked with dreadful loss of life, and injury, but from which he was delivered from, by some miracle, it affected him for the rest of his service and his life. 

This is much reflected in his book and his poetry. After Foylebank,  during his lonely asdic vigil, his long hours produced exceptional wartime prose. 

His book of prose is entitled “In England Now”.

It is striking in its expression of the sadness of the loss of his shipmates and the folly of war.

Ron’s description of his little book is “words laid down during the quiet moments of wartime”, this conveys his enormous warm hearted sensitivity.

I was privileged to have served with CPO Walsh, I was proud to have him call me, his Shipmate, even if I did prompt that, we were both of the Hong Kong Flotilla family. 

We recall the reunions we enjoyed together, the friendship of Vi and John, Jean and Ron. He only missed the last two.

We remember Ron’s 90th Birthday at Weston Reunion, when CPO Vince Hart made a splendid presentation he had made, to mark that day, and we had such fun.

Now as some of that exceptional flotilla family is gathered again here together with the family, together we are united in this thankful celebration of his life, with of course sadness.

A final story. I asked Ron in one of our many chats, now I was no longer that raw 19 year old sprog, and a fine upstanding chap, and we were still serving what duty might he now give me.

Ron replied that he might, he just might; put me in charge of the monkey.