Name
William Welsh
1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/04/1918
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Chief Motor Mechanic
1688
Royal Air Force
7th Squadron
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY
IX. A. 29
France
Headstone Inscription
EVER AFFECTIONATELY REMEMBERED REST DEAR ONE IN PEACE
UK & Other Memorials
St Albans Citizens Memorial, Town Hall (old) Memorial, St Albans, Ayot St Peter Memorial, Roll of Honour, St Peter's Church, Ayot St Peter, We are not aware of any Roestock memorial
Pre War
William Welsh was born in 1895 in Ayot St Peter, Herts, the son of John and Kate Welsh, and baptised there on 3 March 1895.
His grandfather was a farmer at Manor Farm in Ayot St Peter and the family were living at Manor Farm with his grandparents on the 1901 Census. By 1911 he was living as a Boarder at 83 Hartley Road, Luton, Beds with John and Alice Cooper and working as an Engineer's Apprentice.
His parents later lived at Vixendell, Roestock, St Albans, Herts.
Wartime Service
He joined the 7th Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps as an aircraft mechanic and served in France from 7 November 1914.
He rose to the rank of temporary Serjeant Major but died 'in the field' in 1918, some records suggest that he died due to an accident.
Additional Information
His father, J Welsh Esq. of Vixendell, Roestock, Nr St Albans, ordered his headstone inscription: "EVER AFFECTIONATELY REMEMBERED REST DEAR ONE IN PEACE" His father received a war gratuity of £31 and pay owing of £54 7s 10d.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Gareth Hughes, www.ayotstpeter.com
