Walsh, Frances Gertrude ()

Survived 1941-November-10

Frances Gertrude Walsh

Birth Date: 1896

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Enlistment Date: unkown date

Decorations: GM

George Medal

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Final Burial
Google MapOcean View Burial Park
Mrs Frances Walsh, GM was awarded the George Medal for her actions on 1941-11-10.

She was born Francis Gertude Hamlin. She was a school teacher at Big Hill Springs School located north of Calgary, Alberta. On the morning of 1941-11-10 Menasco Moth - 4833 Crashed in the school yard adjacent to the school. Mrs Walsh sent a student to get help and proceeded to the scene of the crash. Leading Aircraftman Karl Mander Gravell was attempting to rescue the pilot Flying Officer James Robinson who had died in the crash. Leading Aircraftman Gravell was engulfed in flames and had other serious injuries. Mrs Walsh pulled Leading Aircraftman Gravell from the flames and proceeded to extinguish the flames. She recieved severe burns attempting to rescue Leading Aircraftman Gravell. Unfortunately Leading Aircraftman Gravell died later that day in hospital. For her bravery Mrs Walsh was awarded the George Medal. For his bravery Leading Aircraftman Gravell was awarded the George Cross (posthumously). This the only time that both medals were awarded for the same incident. Mrs Walsh was divorced after the war, and remarried taking the surname Biers. She was again divorced prior to her death.

Her son, Flying Officer Harold Francis Walsh; was killed in the Crash of Silver Star - 21356 on 1955-07-25

www.findagrave.com

Moth, Menasco serial: 4833

(DND Archives Photo, PCN-4631)(Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page)
de Havilland DH 82C2 Menasco Moth Mk. I (Serial No. 4861),
preserved with the Canada Air and Space Museum, Ottawa, Ontario.

In the event that U-boat attacks caused a break in supply of British-made engines to Canada, American-built Menasco engines were installed in some Canadian-built Tiger Moths. This is the major difference between the Menasco and de Havilland Tiger Moths. Because this engine could drive a large generator, most Menasco Moths were used for radio training.

The Menasco engine was not as powerful as the Gypsy engine, resulting in a somewhat reduced performance. This loss of power made the Menasco Moth a less than ideal pilot-training airplane and contributed to the Menasco Moth being used almost exclusively for radio training.

YouTube Features Menasco engined Tiger Moth

unvetted Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Aircraft Images

Moth, Menasco 4833

Moth, Menasco II 4833

With No. 2 Wireless School at Calgary, Alberta at time of crash. Crashed in the school yard of Big Springs School (in the Simmonds Valley near Calgary, Alberta). Radio operator pupil, Leading Aircraftman Karl Mander Gravell, extracted himself from the wreckage, but re-entered the burning wreck to try to save the pilot. Both subsequently died of burns. Leading Aircraftman Gravell, was awarded the George Cross for his self sacrificing actions in trying to save Flying Officer Robinson and Mrs. F. Walsh, a teacher from the school, was awarded the George Medal for her heroic acts.

1941-03-11 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-November-10 Accident: 2 Wireless School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Gravell | Robinson
1942-08-18 Struck off Strength Struck off after crashing and burning on 10 November 1941. See comments. 2019-08-20