Person

Originally from Northumberland, George Hedley Welsh came to study at Ushaw College, a Catholic seminary in Durham. He joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1917 and was one of around 1,100 airmen awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross during the First World War.

Born on 15 February 1899, George was the second son born to surgeon Robert Anthony Welsh, and his wife Eliza Welsh nee Hedley. The couple had a further three sons and one daughter. George spent his childhood in Felton in Northumberland, but by 1911 had left the family home to study at Ushaw College in Durham. Ushaw College at that time was a Catholic seminary; training men to become priests.

Records show George enlisted in March 1916. He became a cadet in the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) just over a year later, at the age of 18 and whilst he was still a student. Having trained as part of the cadet wing at Denham Camp, he then moved to Oxford. George was commissioned as a temporary 2nd lieutenant on 18 July 1917, before moving through several different training squadrons. In September 1917 he gained his Royal Aero Club Aviator Certificate at the Military School in Huntingdon[?]. Following all this training he joined the 101st Squadron in March 1918 on the Western Front. In May 1918 he became a lieutenant.

On 11 August George was admitted to hospital and diagnosed five days later with flying sickness. This term was sometimes known as ‘war strain’ but was also thought to involve the changes of air pressure and temperature that airmen were exposed to on a daily basis. Following treatment in a hospital in France, George was invalided to England. Service records suggest George returned to serving with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in November 1918 before being transferred to the unemployed list in April 1919, retaining his rank as lieutenant.

George was one of around 1,100 men awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross during the First World War. The announcement appeared in the Edinburgh Gazette on 23 September 1918 with the following citation:

“During the last three and a-half months this officer has taken part in seventy-nine bombing raids. Many of these have been carried out by night, and he has displayed conspicuous bravery in descending to low altitudes to successfully attack his objective. One night he carried out four such attacks, exploding a dump and harassing troops on the ground.”

George married Doris May Greep Hill in 1922 in Wandsworth. At the time of the 1939 Register, George was living in Woking with his wife and at least one child, Pamela. His occupation is listed as flying instructor, although he is described as demobbed. Both he and his wife are listed as having a connection with the RAF; George as a reserve officer and his wife as a Women’s Auxiliary Air Force Section Leader.

Interestingly, George’s wife, Doris, also served in the RFC during the First World War and it has been possible to find her service records. She was living in Andover where there was a base for the RFC built in 1917. She was appointed to serve with the RFC in Andover on 27 January 1918 in the clerical section, specifically stating that she was willing to serve only at Andover and not on service abroad. In April 1918, shortly after the formation of the Royal Air Force, she was attached to the 105th Squadron aircraft repair section.

Civil Parish: Esh

Birth date: 15-Feb-1899

Armed force/civilian: Air Force

Residence: Pethfoot House, Felton, Northumberland (1901 Census)
Ushaw College, Durham (1911 Census)
Camden Square, London (1917 Airmen Records)
Rafdeen Horsell Birch, Woking, Surrey (1939 Register)

Education: Ushaw Seminary College

Employment: Flying Instructor (1939 Register)

Family: Parents: Robert Anthony Welsh, Eliza Welsh nee Hedley
Siblings: Edward A. W. Welsh, Charles J. C. Welsh, Hugh Robert Welsh, Violet Mary Welsh
Wife: Doris May Welsh nee Greep Hill
Children: Pamela Welsh

Military service:

Royal Flying Corps, 101st Squadron
Lieutenant
Service Number 66439

Medal(s): Distinguished Flying Cross

Gender: Male

Contributed by Fiona Johnson - Durham