Charles Richard WALSH

WALSH, CHARLES RICHARD (b. Goulburn, NSW, 8 April 1853, d. 29 April 1938). Prothonotary of the Supreme Court and barrister.

Son of Charles Hamilton Walsh, solicitor, Walsh entered the Crown Solicitor's office and became Chief Clerk of the Supreme Court of NSW when he was 33 years of age. In 1896 he became the Court's Prothonotary and, during World War One, assumed the additional responsibilities of Sheriff. In 1919 Walsh retired after 43 years in the NSW Public Service and was admitted as a barrister with the intention of pursuing a private practice. But with the illness and subsequent resignation of Robert Atkins, the long serving registrar of the Anglican diocese of Sydney, Walsh accepted that position in 1921 and in 1923, on the death of W R Beaver (q.v.), took on the additional responsibilities of secretary of Synod and Standing Committee. He held both positions until 1934.

Walsh was very active in the affairs of the Church of England well before 1921. He was instrumental in 1871 in the revival of the CMS Sydney Auxiliary and acted as its lay secretary from 1871 to 1914, when he became its chairman of committees. In 1914 he went to England on behalf of the CMA. He also took part in the establishment of an Australian auxiliary of CMS in 1889 and in 1892 was an organiser of the deputation of Eugene Stock and the Rev R W Stewart from the parent society in London, of which Walsh was a vice president.

Charles Walsh was actively involved in the Anglican Church League. He was a vice president from its inception in 1909 and was its president in 1920 when he resigned upon his appointment as registrar. He also resigned the lay canonry of the Cathedral, a position he had held since 1884 and from the position of a diocesan nominator, which he had been since 1909. His many other interests included the Missions to Seamen, the British and Foreign Bible Society, and the Home for Incurables at Ryde. Together with W D M Merewether and H M Stephen, Walsh was a long time trustee of the Lucas-Tooth Scholarship.

In 1934, at the age of 81 Walsh relinquished his diocesan positions. In failing health, he lived until he was 85, 'the Nestor of Sydney Churchmen'.

ACR 1 Nov 1934; SMH 21 Nov 1919; ACR 19 Aug 1926, 21 Dec 1923, 9 Jan 1914

STEPHEN JUDD