Name
Frederick Welch
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/04/1915
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
4/7372
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 31/33
Belgium
UK & Other Memorials
Stevenage Old Town Memorial
St Nicholas' Church Memorial, Stevenage Old Town
Holy Trinity Church Memorial Roll of Honour, Stevenage Old Town
Pre War
Frederick was the son of Emma Welch and the nephew of William & Matilda Welch of Letchmore Road, Stevenage.
Wartime Service
He arrived in France on the 3rd December 1914 and was severely wounded in the fighting around Hill 60, which is situated on a ridge overlooking the town of Ypres. The highest point of the hill is composed of excavated earth from the railway cutting that runs through the ridge. It allows an excellent view over the town and was a valuable artillery observation point. On the 10th April 1915, after a few days rest in Reningheist, the Battalion moved to trenches opposite Hill 60. Here they assisted in preparations for an attack on the hill and these were completed by the 17th April, despite the fact that all necessary materials had to be carried by hand from the ruins of Zillebeke, under the cover of darkness. Much tunnelling had taken place prior to the attack and on the 17th April six British mines were detonated close to the German positions and the assault got underway. Initially, there was some success as the German troops were caught by surprise but this did not last very long. They quickly re-organised themselves and at midnight they made a concerted counter-attack. It was during this attack that Frederick Welch was apparently shot in the head and died of his wounds several days later. It is believed that his grave was lost during the intense shelling in the area and, as a result, he has no known grave. His name is recorded on the Menin Gate memorial, Belgium.
Additional Information
www.stevenageatwar.com
Acknowledgments
Paul Johnson
