Where is he from.?.

[roselyn2]

1914-15 Star. B.W. M. Victory I. G. S Medal bar Waziristan 1921-34. Jubilee Medal 1935.  Service No’s.

34331. 87245 . 3949130 . Edward Thomas Welsh R. Died in service . Buried in Landi Kotal Pakistan.  Can any member tell me where he is from. I would like to look up the Newspaper to see if there is any information on him. Thank you.     Lyn.

[david murdoch]

From the death index he was 38 when he died in 1935 so born 1897. By his age and then post war service he most likely was extending his service to go for 21 years. Looking at the newspaper records for "Landi Kotal" 1935 shows 2nd Battalion being stationed there at this time. On his BWM/VM roll has him noted attached 159 LTMB (possibly Light Mountain Battery). There is an obituary for another soldier of 2nd Battalion dying in Landi Kotal in July 1935 of typhoid fever. Possible searches are the absent voters lists and probate records. Almost certainly Welsh, but very common name.

Edited 5 August , 2020 by david murdoch

[58 Div Mule]

7 hours ago, david murdoch said:

On his BWM/VM roll has him noted attached 159 LTMB (possibly Light Mountain Battery).

 

I would have thought 159 Light Trench Mortar Battery is more likely?

 

58 DM.

[roselyn2]

Thank you both for your help.   Lyn.

[david murdoch]

8 hours ago, 58 Div Mule said:

 

I would have thought 159 Light Trench Mortar Battery is more likely?

 

58 DM.

Yes I stand corrected. I checked his medal roll and it's written L.T.M.B rather than Lt M.B. (I had my India head on - thinking about North West Frontier).

Putting his rolls together he went to France 30/7/1915 with 1st Battalion so as they were already there means he was a replacement  and not an original. So likely enlisting early 1915 and given his preference to join Welsh Regiment. He's then shown as being 4th Battalion then 4/5th Battalion.

Per Long Long Trail :-
4/5th Formed from the merger of 1/4th and 1/5th Battalions on 30 July 1918. Remained under 159th Infantry Brigade of 53rd (Welsh) Division. Presumably 159th Light Trench Mortar's being numbered as per the Brigade and they were crewed by regular infantry personnel. So likely he finished the war with them. Then he's either re enlisted or extended his service to continue serving post war.

He then returned to 1st Battalion as his GSM and Waziristan clasp is to them. Possibly moved to 2nd Battalion when they changed out in India. Longer serving men have their previous service number noted as well as their post war 7 digit numbers.

The 2nd Battalion was deployed to Ireland in 1920 while the 1st Battalion returned to British India and served there until 1924 when it moved to Waziristan. The 2nd Battalion moved to Shanghai in 1927 for service with the Shanghai Defence Force and then on to India in 1935.

 

I'll take a look in the WW1 records - he may show up being wounded and giving a home town and may explain his wartime move from 1st to 4th Battalion.