Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Mesopotamia’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Warrant Officer Class I W. Welford, 6th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, late South Lancashire Regiment, for his gallantry during the battle of ‘The Boot’ on 30 April 1917 - twice wounded during the Great War, he died prematurely in 1926 presumably as a result of war time injuries and sickness

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (34837 C.S. Mjr: - A.R.S. Mjr: - W. Welford. 6/E. Lan: R.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, OFS clasp unofficially added and affixed with solder (6136 L.Cpl. W. Welford. S. Lanc: Regt.); British War and Victory Medals (34837 T.W.O. Cl.1. W. Welford. S. Lan. R.) contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £800-£1,000

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 May 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in bringing up supplies to the firing line under heavy fire. By his skill and coolness he undoubtedly prevented heavy casualties among the transport.’
Original citation additionally annotated ‘Mesopotamia 30.4.17.’

William Welford was born in Liverpool on 28 December 1882 and attested for the South Lancashire Regiment on 16 October 1900. He served with the 1st Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War from 26 January 1901, and was appointed Lance Corporal on 7 May 1901, and was promoted Corporal on 7 September 1902, while still serving in South Africa, where he remained until 21 January 1903. From South Africa he proceeded with his Battalion to India, where he was appointed Lance Sergeant on 27 December 1905, and was promoted Sergeant on 31 July 1906. He was still serving with the 1st Battalion in India when the Great War broke out, and was promoted to Colour Sergeant on 12 October 1914, and to Company Sergeant Major on 21 June 1915.

Welford served during the Great War in Mesopotamia from 22 October 1916, and was transferred to the 6th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment. He was wounded in the hip on 8 December 1916. He was appointed Acting Regimental Sergeant Major on 31 January 1917, and was wounded for a second time, in the shoulder, on 25 February 1917. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his services with the 6th Battalion at Tel Mahasil, east of ‘Three Ridges’ during the Battle of ‘The Boot’ at Band-i-Adhaim on 30 April 1917, during the advance north, following the capture of Baghdad in March 1917. The Battalion War Diary gives the following account:
‘30 April 1917 : Tel Mahasil. 38th Brigade formed up for attack on Turkish position. East Lancs in the centre, Kings Own right, South Lancs left, Loyal North Lancs in Reserve. 5:00 a.m. attack commenced, first objective reached with very little loss, here Brigade were met by heavy rifle and machine gun fire which held them in check, during the day the Brigade was under artillery, rifle and machine gun fire which made re-organisation practically impossible, so position was consolidated. At 6:00 p.m. South Lancs and Kings Own marched away, East Lancs forming part of piquet line with 40 Brigade on our left, remainder of 38th Brigade less South Lancs on our right, South Lancs in reserve during these operation. The Battalion lost 2 officers and 13 other ranks killed, 5 officers and 68 other ranks wounded, and 2 other ranks missing.’

Welford served in Mesopotamia with 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment for the remainder of the war, returning to India on 29 March 1919, before returning to England on 10 December 1919. He was discharged on 17 January 1920 at Fulwood Barracks, Preston - it would appear that he had planned to stay in the Army to complete his 21 years of service but severe malaria (presumably contracted in Mesopotamia) prevented that.

In January 1920, Welford wrote to the Army requesting his service medals as well as the Orange Free State clasp for the Queen’s South Africa Medal, and the Delhi Durbar Medal, although it does not appear that the latter was issued. In April 1923 he wrote again to the army requesting the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, but it seems that his claim was not accepted. He died on 2 April 1926, possibility as a result of his war time injuries and sickness, with his widow claiming for his pension after his death.