Photo: Dr. J. Welford
The headstone reads:
In Loving Memory
of
Alec Welford,
(Late No.1 Tank Field Company)
the dearly beloved son of
Frank and Annie Welford,
entered into rest April 16th 1919,
aged 28 years.
Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Alec was born at Barnard Castle in 1890 the son of Francis John (known as Frank) and Annie (nee Bell) of the Bowes Arms, Galgate. The couple had 5 children together but unfortunately 1 died. The children were Alec, Frank Bertram, James Frederick and Gwendoline.
Alec had originally worked as a blacksmith before the war.
He enlisted at Alnwick on August 6th 1914 which was only two days after the war broke out.
He initially joined the Northumberland Fusiliers (Service number 1833) but was later transferred to the Army Cyclist Corps for a short time then again transferred to the Tank Corps.
Alec, on April 18th 1915 sailed from Southampton to Havre on arriving in France the next day.
He served until he was demobbed in February 1919. He died of an embolism only 2 months later April 16th 1919.
The Teesdale Mercury 23/04/1919 reads:-
“Death of a Local Soldier from Embolism.
Alec Welford, the eldest soldier son of Mr and Mrs Frank Welford of the Bowes Arms, Galgate, was playing billiards at the Cyclists' Club on Tuesday night week, and early the following morning died at home, the cause being certified as an embolism. Dr. Leishman was called in. The deceased was in France in 1915, he having joined the Northumberland Fusiliers, and afterwards the Tank Corps with which he remained until his demobilization last February 1919. By trade the deceased was a blacksmith, and had been at work for about three weeks. He was 28 years of age.
The Interment took place on the afternoon of Good Friday, quite a large number of townspeople attending including many near relatives and acquaintances. The Vicar officiated.”
Recipient of the 1915 Star, the Victory Medal and British War Medal
In an article in the Teesdale Mercury 12/06/2013, Dr. Welford explains how he and other family members came one day ready to tidy up the headstone only to find it in pristine condition. On enquiry, they found that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission will look after this headstone in perpetuity.
Alec Welford is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.04, B135.13, B135.20, B135.23 and B135.25
