In Poelcapelle British Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, near Ypres in Belgium is the Commonwealth War Grave of 293114 Private Archibald Welch serving with the 1st/7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers who died 26/10/1917.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Archibald Welch known affectionately as Archie was born 1893 at Ferryhill, County Durham one of 7 sons and 2 daughters born to George James Welch native of South Shields born February 12th 1860 and his wife Annie Maria Bruton of Cornforth, County Durham born November 9th 1860 whom he married in 1880, district of Durham. George James was a butcher by trade, originally the newly married couple lived with her married sister and her son at Ferryhill in 1881. Ten years later and with 5 children they had moved near to the White Horse Inn, Archie’s father in 1901 was running his own butchery business from home, his eldest son Robert (18) was his apprentice. George James Welch died in 1905 when Archie was 12 years old and was buried at Duncombe Cemetery, Ferryhill.
On the outbreak of war Archibald Welch enlisted at Ferryhill and was firstly assigned as Private 32068 and later transferred as Private 293114 Northumberland Fusiliers 1st/7th Battalion (Territorials). The main body of men departed to France in April 1915 attached to the 149th Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division participating in the Second Battle of Ypres but Private Welch did not join them until 1916 in preparation for the Battles of the Somme, followed by the Arras Offensive where they captured Rancourt Ridge and the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) in 1917.
Private 293114 Archibald Welch Northumberland Fusiliers died October 26th 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele which raged July 31st-November 10th 1917. His body was buried on the battlefield, map reference Langermarck 20 S. W. U. 6. d. 8. 6., it was not until after Armistice during the clearing of the battlefields that his body was exhumed, identified by means of a disc and brought into the newly formed Poelcapelle British Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, near Ypres in Belgium for reburial with all honour and reverence in the presence of an Army Chaplain. He is at rest grave XLVI. D. 4. At the time of his demise in 1917 he was 24 years old and single.
His mother received all monies due to him from the Army and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. After probate was assigned at London July 22nd 1918 she also received his effects in the sum of 1683 pounds 18 shillings 1 pence.
His family grave at Duncombe Cemetery, Ferryhill is the largest and very imposing, section 7 A. Remembered there are 5 members of his family, his father George James Welch February 12th 1859-March 9th 1905, mother Annie Maria Welch November 9th 1860-December 11th 1936, brothers George Johnson Welch October 8th 1890-March 28th 1892, John Walter Welch 1894-January 23rd 1924 and Joseph Welch February 18th 1901-August 3rd 1901 and sisters Annie the wife of John Moorhead 1886-August 23rd 1916 and Margaret Welch 1899-November 4th 1918. There is also a dedication to Private Welch and an additional inscription which reads, “He Laid Down His Life For His Country.”
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Archibald Welch is remembered at Ferryhill on F38.02
