Name
Henry (Harry) William Welch
12th December 1880
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
19/09/1918
37
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
45976
York and Lancaster Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL
Panel 9.
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Lemsford Village Memorial, Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, We are not aware of any memorial in Stanborough
Pre War
Harry William (Henry or Jack) Welch was born in Stanborough on the 12th December 1880, the second son of Adam Alfred and Eliza Welch and baptised at St. John's church Lemsford on the 12th December 1880.
On leaving school he became a grocer's assistant and worked in Hatfield and later in Berkhamsted.
The 1881 census recorded his father as Adam, an agricultural labourer, and his family in Stanborough. The family consisting of father, Adam (40), mother, Eliza (35) and children: Ellen M. (6 – believed should read Helen Maria), George Thomas (5), Clara Aliceb (3) and Harry William just 5-months old. Adam’s father, Henry (69) was also present.
In 1891 the family were still living at Stanborough. Present were both parents, Adam now a general labourer, all the children listed above plus new siblings Gertrude Annie (7) and Louisa (5).
By 1901 Harry was living as a boarder in Fore Street (South), Hatfield. and working as a grocer’s assistant and by 1911, recorded as Harry aged 29, was living as a boarder at 3 Montague Road, Berkhamsted – the home of the Elliot family, and still working as a grocer’s assistant.
Then in 1911 Census: Harry,
It appears that when he enlisted, he was calling himself Harry.
He never married.
The Soldiers Died In The Great War database records Harry living in Hatfield when he enlisted in Berkhamsted.
Wartime Service
He enlisted at Berkhamsted and joined the Bedfordshire Regiment as Private 27664. Later he was transferred to the Yorkshire and Lancaster Regiment as Private 54976. He died on the 19th of September 1918, aged 38. The War Notes of December 1918 in the Hatfield Parish Magazine read:- 'We regret to announce that Private H.G. Welch lost his life in action on September 19th. For some reason the official information of his death was not received by his relatives until the day the Armistice was signed. The very deepest sympathy will be felt for his sisters, Mrs Fred Scott, Mrs Ernest Scott, and Miss Welch, who have been so long connected with Lemsford.'
Private Harry William Welch 45976. 2nd Bn., York and Lancaster Regiment is remembered with Honour on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 9. This Memorial bears the names of over 9,000 men who fell in the period from 8 August 1918 to the date of the Armistice in the Advance to Victory in Picardy and Artois, between the Somme and Loos, and who have no known grave.
He is also remembered on his parent's grave in St. John's Lemsford north churchyard Row 11, plot 7. The inscription reads: ‘In loving memory of Alfred Welch, died April 19th 1901 aged 60 years peace perfect peace. also of Mother, wife of the above who fell asleep March 11th 1915 aged 69 years God has wiped all tears from her face also of Jack, their son killed in action Sept 19th 1918. aged 38 years lead thou me on.’
Dr Paul Wright discovered the following letter after his mother’s death. It refers to Pte. Harry William (Jack) Welch. It was written by Helen Scott (nee Welch) – Harry’s sister – to Paul’s grandfather, Charles Hubert (Bert) Wright who was a Lieutenant in the York and Lancaster Regiment and who had written to Helen’s family.
this was the first confirmation of what the Welch (and Scott) family had feared.
Stanborough
Hatfield
Hertfordshire
Nov. 11th 1918
Dear Lieut’nt Wright
Thank you very much for your letter received this morning. Needless to say its sad news was a terrible blow to us; we knew something must be wrong as my brother had written to us so regularly; we all inclined to the idea that he was a prisoner especially as we had not been notified that he was killed or wounded. It seemed to add to the bitterness of the news that it arrived on the very morning that fighting ceased! I am thankful indeed that the fighting is over but now I wish that my dear brother could have lived to see this day.
When you have a few minutes to spare I wonder if you will let me know if his death was instantaneous & also if his grave is marked in any way. We are so anxious to hear all we can about him. I don’t know where your home is but if ever you are near these parts, we should so like to talk with you; of course that may be out of the question. I wonder where the Battery officer’s letter strayed.? I have never received it.
I am so glad you have recovered from your injuries & I heartily wish you a safe return home. How glad all you boys out there must be that the horror the past 4 years is over!
I hope you forgive me for troubling you again but anything you can tell me about Jack (H W Welch) would be so very welcome.
Again, thanking you very much, we shall always esteem you highly on account of your attachment to my brother.
Yours very sincerely
Helen Scott
Additional Information
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs F. Scott (Sister) of Stanborough received an “In Memoriam & Roll of Honour Album”.
He is also remembered on his parent's grave in St. John's Lemsford north churchyard Row 11, plot 7. The inscription reads: ‘In loving memory of Alfred Welch, died April 19th 1901 aged 60 years peace perfect peace. also of Mother, wife of the above who fell asleep March 11th 1915 aged 69 years God has wiped all tears from her face also of Jack, their son killed in action Sept 19th 1918. aged 38 years lead thou me on.’
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk), Andy Chapman & www.lemsfordww1.co.uk
