Virtual
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Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”

Died on this date – 4th March …… George Welsh was born at Bradford, England around 1878.

(There is insufficient information to correctly identify the parents of George Welsh. He had a brother – Thomas Welsh)

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 5th July, 1915 in Melbourne, Victoria as a 30 year old, single, Salesman (as listed on Embarkation Roll, however he listed “Seaman” on his Attestation Papers). His next of kin was listed as Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Broadmeadows Branch, Victoria. (Note: Commonwealth Bank was listed under next of kin column on the Embarkation Roll, however George Welsh listed his brother Mr Thomas Welsh, 36 Jowett Street, Bradford, England as his next of kin. “Parents dead” was recorded on Attestation Papers.)

Private George Welsh, Service number 2486, embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on RMS Osterley on 29th September, 1915 with the 6th Infantry Brigade, 24th Infantry Battalion, 5th Reinforcements.

On 21st March, 1916 Private Welsh embarked from Alexandria for Overseas on HT Oriana. He disembarked at Marseilles, France on 29th (? Date covered by ink splotch)  March, 1916.

He was admitted to 26th General Hospital, Etaples, France on 16th April, 1916 with Pneumonia. Private Welsh was reported to be seriously ill with Pneumonia on 16th April, 1916. He embarked from Calais, France on 15th May, 1916 on Hospital Ship Stad Antwerpen.

Private Welsh was admitted to 1st Auxiliary Hospital, England on 30th May, 1916 with Pneumonia. He was discharged from Woodcote Park on 19th June, 1916 for furlough.

On 8th July, 1916 Private Welsh was admitted to Bulford Military Hospital, Wiltshire with Gonorrhoea. He was discharged on 8th August, 1916. Total 32 days V.D.

He was marched out to 6th Training Battalion on 1st September, 1916 from Command Depot at Perham Downs, Wiltshire.

Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located in the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire & Dorset.

Private Welsh proceeded overseas on 8th October, 1916 from 6th Training Battalion. He was marched in to 2nd A.D.B.D. (Australian Divisional Base Depot) at Etaples, France on 9th October, 1916. Private Welsh was taken on strength of 24th Battalion in France on 17th November, 1916.

He wrote a letter to Janey on Tuesday October 17/16 at “Estaples”, France (Note: the letter is typewritten & at the bottom is typed “Certified to be a true copy of the Will of No. 2486 Pte Welsh G. 2nd Battalion A.I.F."): “Dear Janey I now take the pleasure of writing these few lines to you hoping to find you in good health as this leaves me at present. Dear Janey I got back to camp and was sent to France next day straight up to Pozieres and we did have a lively time and now I am having a spell from the front but I expect to go up again next week. Dear Janey I wrote one letter to you before I went up an a field post card when I came down but I did not expect an answer because we were not allowed & did not know what address to tell you to write to but I will send it this time 2486 Pte G. Welsh 24 Batt 2nd A D B D C/O APO s/17 France Dear Janey I am making my will in my pay book & if anything should happen to me everything I possess will go to you I will send you a copy of same Dear Janey give my kind love & regards to your father & mother Mary & Teddy & all enquiring friends. Dear Janey I have still got that little photo you gave and I shall keep until we meet again if we ever have the chance to meet again Dear Janey let me know how every things stands between you & Paddy Welsh & let me know if I have to alter my mode of addressing you So I think that is al this time and answer this as quickly as possible I remain === === G. Welsh     If I may just a few  x x x x x x x x x x “

Private Welsh reported sick on 28th December, 1916 & was admitted to 5th Australian Field Ambulance in France. A note was signed by Colonel, A.D.M.S., 2nd Australian Division on 27th December, 1916 at Headquarters stating “I have personally examined No 2486 Pte WELSH, G. 24th Aust. Inf. BN and find that he is unfit for Active Service. Please evacuate this man with the attached certificate that he may be boarded at the Base. Reason: Old Pneumonia – signs at R. Base. Dyspnoea.” He was transferred & admitted to 38th Casualty Clearing Station with Pneumonia on 28th December, 1916 & transferred to Ambulance Train on 30th December, 1916. Private Welsh was admitted to 3rd Stationary Hospital at Rouen, France on 30th December, 1916 with Pneumonia. He embarked for England on 1st January, 1917 from Rouen on Hospital Ship Western Australia.

He was admitted to Lewisham Military Hospital, London on 2nd January, 1917. He was transferred to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, Kent on 29th January, 1917 with Pneumonia & was discharged to Furlo from 31st January, 1917. Private Welsh was then to report to Perham Downs at the completion of his furlough.

On 16th February, 1917 Private Welsh was marched in to No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs, Wiltshire from Furlough. A Medical Report was completed on Private George Welsh on 26th February, 1917 while posted as Perham Down. His disability was recorded as Senility which had originated “prior to enlistment.”  The following details were recorded “he developed Pneumonia in France & was sent back to England May 1916. Returned France Sept. Sent back to England in January 1917. Medical History shows:- Admitted 3rd London General Hospital Pneumonia 15/5/16. Transferred 1st A.A.H. Harefield 20/5/16. Transferred convalescent Hosp Epsom 30/5/16. Discharged Furlough 19/6/16.”  The causation of the disability was aggravated by Active Service due to exposure & Infection. His present condition was recorded as “Senility & Liability to Pneumonia. Scattered coarse crepitations Right base.” The Officer in charge of the medical case recommended that Private Welsh be discharged as permanently unfit. The Medical Board found that the disability was not a result of active service but they found that he was permanently unfit for General & Home Service.

On 27th February, 1917 Private Welsh was transferred to No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, Dorset.

He proceeded overseas via Folkestone on 1st March, 1917 to rejoin his Unit from furlough.

Private George Welsh was found drowned in Weymouth Harbour, Dorset, England on 4th March, 1917 between 8.30 pm & 9 pm.

A Coroner’s Court was held into the death of Private George Welsh on 6th March, 1917. Extract from Coroner’s Court as listed on Casualty Form - Active Service: “Death of Soldier from misadventure it appears that he accidentally fell from the Eastern Quay into Weymouth Harbour & was drowned as the result therof. The Court commended the action of AB McArthur HMML 311 who made a gallant attempt to save deceased. President Lieut S. H. Beck 8th Batt.”

He was buried in Melcombe Regis Cemetery, Weymouth, Dorset, England where 82 other WW1 Australian War Graves are located.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/t-w.html