Thiepval Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Robert Welsh was born at Cornsay Colliery in 1885, the eldest of eight children, 6 boys and 2 girls born to George Welsh (1860 Newfield - 1931 Sedgefield) and widow Mary Collinson (1867 Tow Law). He also had a half brother Joseph Collinson. His father George worked all his life as a coal miner whilst Robert at the age of 16 was a driver below ground. December 18th 1909 he married Elizabeth Rutherford in Sedgefield and they went to live with her parents at 32 Newton Street, Denebank, Sedgefield, a daughter Olive was born in October 1910. They went on to have a further two children, another little girl Barbara born in 1913 and a son Robert born 1914.
Robert enlisted in Ferryhill, November 10th 1914, a matter of a few weeks before the birth of his son. He joined as Private 15034, 7th East Yorkshire Regiment, 50th Brigade, 17th Division, for the duration of the war and was in training at home until being posted to France as part go the British Expeditionary Force July 14th 1915. Whilst at the front his Battalion took part in the Battle of St. Julien, the Battle of Frezenburg Ridge and Bellewaarde Ridge, all part of the Second Battle of Ypres. July 1st 1916 saw the beginning of the Battles of the Somme and it was at this time July 10th 1916 that Private 15034 Robert Welsh was reported missing in action. The Army Council decided that his death was to be regarded on that date and he was declared to have been killed in action. This was officially recognised and his next of kin were notified. Robert has no known grave, his name is inscribed on pier and face 2C of the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, Picardie, France. He was awarded the 14-15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal, he was 31 years old.
On the day of his enlistment Robert did not go alone, his brother George Welsh accompanied him and joined ahead of his brother in the East Yorkshire Regiment as Private 15033. He was 27 years old and survived the Great War.
His brother Henry enlisted as Rifleman 34982 in the 4th Battalion King’s Royal Rifles, in 1911 was stationed at Seaham Harbour.
Robert’s widow Elizabeth of 7 Dene Terrace, Chilton, remarried December 1919 in Sedgefield to an ex soldier Michael Luckman. He had served in France as part of the Northumberland Fusiliers. Robert and Elizabeth’s daughter Olive died in 2003, Barbara in 1987 and their son Robert in 1932. His widow Elizabeth died in 1952 and her second husband Michael in 1954.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace
Robert Welsh is remembered at Chilton on C107.04, C107.09 and C107.12
