Lance Corporal Albert Richard Welsh

 

Albert Richard Welsh was born on 11 March 1892 at 51 Elizabeth Street, Belfast, the second of two children of fireman (later railway engine driver) Samuel Welsh and his wife Mary (née Davidson). His mother died of typhoid fever when he was just one year old. At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at 170 Roden Street with his father, stepmother Mary Alice, sister, six half-siblings and another relative, and working as an apprentice engineer.

Welsh enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron between 28 October and 2 November 1914 (No. UD/69). On 6 October 1915 he embarked for France with his squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division.

In June 1916 the Inniskilling squadron joined with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps. In August-September 1917 the Regiment was disbanded and its men, following training at the 36th (Ulster) Division Infantry Base Depot at Harfleur, were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Welsh, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt. Welsh was issued regimental number 41139 and posted to A Company.

He probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917 and perhaps also during the retreat from St Quentin from 21 to 28 March 1918.

On 30 September 1918 the 9th (NIH) Battalion was ordered to advance on the Belgian village of Vijfwegen. The fighting centred on a small rise, Hill 41, which had been well fortified by the Germans and afforded a wide field of fire on troops attempting to move past it. During this and the following day they sustained numerous casualties – eight officers and 139 other ranks, including 29 killed in action and seven who would die of their wounds. Welsh was among the many wounded, in the left wrist.

Evacuated to England for treatment, on 11 February 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve. He was granted a pension due to his wound.

By 1921 Welsh was living at 170 Roden Street and working as a marine engineer. On 13 April that year he married Elizabeth Allen in the Sandy Row Methodist Church.

 

This page last updated 17 February 2023.