James William Welch

Name

James William Welch

Conflict

First World War

Date of Death / Age

04/05/1916
19

Rank, Service Number & Service Details

Private
14628
Bedfordshire Regiment
6th Bn.

Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards

1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals

Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country

BIENVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY
IV. B. 8.
France

Headstone Inscription

Not Researched

UK & Other Memorials

Essendon War Memorial,
St Mary the Virgin Church WW1 Roll of Honour, Essendon,
St Mary the Virgin Church Tapestry - possibly named on tapestry *1,
Listed on the Family Gravestone in Essendon Churchyard

Pre War

Born on the 1st January 1897 in Essendon, Herts. Son of Joseph Thomas and Martha Welch. Baptised on the 28th February 1897, in Essendon, Herts.

James was one of six children. In 1901 he was living at 4 Terrace, Essendon with his parents. In the 1911 census he is recorded as William aged 15, living with his Parents, 2 Brothers and 3 Sisters, in Mill Green, Essendon, Hatfield, Herts. His occupation is given as a Garden Boy.

Wartime Service

James enlisted in the 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, with the service number 14628.

He embarked at Southampton aboard the SS Express Queen with his Battalion on the 30th July 1915 for Le Havre, France. CWGC Inscription Reads: “Son of Joseph and Martha Welch, of Essendon, Mill Green, Hatfield, Herts.”

Additional Information

The shield, in the St Mary the Virgin Church Memorial, Essendon, is the Bedfordshire regiment. The W Welch is James William Welch, 6th Battalion Beds KIA May 4th 1916.

The tapestry was done by Charles Welch his brother while in hospital in France with frostbite - he survived the war, but lost his toes. The frame broke to reveal the picture of his dead brother James in uniform.

The tapestry is held by the family.

James is also commemorated on a family headstone in Essendon (St Mary) Churchyard, his inscription reads:

Acknowledgments

Sue and Colin Rees, Stuart Osborne