Rushden’s Casualty List

Mr and Mrs J. E. Welch, of 57, Glassbrook-road, Rushden, have received official news that their only son, 28294, Pte. John Edward Welch, Northants Regiment, was wounded on March 23rd, since which time he has also been missing from his unit.  Pte. Welch, who is 22 years of age, joined the Colours in January, 1915, and in the following July proceeded to the Dardanelles, subsequently being invalided home from Malta hospital after having suffered with dysentery and enteric fever.  On recovery he was transferred to another battalion of the County Regiment, and was drafted to the Western front in December, 1916.  In the following May he was wounded in the thigh, but the injury was not sufficiently serious to get him to England.  Prior to enlistment he was employed by Messrs. James Hyde, Ltd., Rushden.  The parents will be grateful to any of their son’s comrades who can send them any further information concerning his fate.

Rushden Echo, July 26th, 1918

Rushden’s Casualty List

Some weeks ago we published the news that Pte. J. E. Welch, of the Northants Regiment, son of Mr and Mrs J. E. Welch, of 57, Glassbrook-road, Rushden, had been missing from his regiment since March 23rd.  We are now pleased to report that Mr and Mrs Welch have reasonable grounds for believing that their son is a prisoner of war, as the missing soldier’s wife has received a card bearing the German postmark from Lieut. McNaley, her husband’s officer, as follows: “Your husband was with me when he was taken prisoner.  I am sorry to say he was rather badly wounded in the leg, but I hope he will get over the effects of the wound.  I saw him myself to a German dressing station, but since then have had no news of him.  If there is anything I can do for you please write to the address on the other side.”

Rushden Echo, August 16th, 1918

Rushden’s Casualty List

A fortnight ago we published the news that Pte. J. E. Welch, Northants Regt., only son of Mr and Mrs J. Welch, of 57, Glassbrook-road, Rushden, was a prisoner of war in Germany, the news having been sent by the soldier’s officer, who was taken at the same time.  We now regret to report that Mr and Mrs Welch have received information from the German Government through the medium of the International Red Cross Society, via Switzerland, that their son died of his wounds on the same day that he was taken prisoner, viz., March 23rd.  He was buried in Essigny le Grand Cemetery, common grave No. 6.  The late Private Welch, who was 23 years of age, joined the colours immediately after the outbreak of war, and went to the Dardanelles with the first Expeditionary Force, being subsequently invalided home with typhoid fever.  After remaining in England for 12 months whilst recovering his strength, he was sent to France in January last year.  In the following June he was slightly wounded, but his injuries were not regarded as sufficiently serious to warrant his being sent home.  Early this year he was home on leave, returning to France in January.

Died a Prisoner - Sad News of Rushden Private

Pte. J. E. Welch, 2894, Northants. Regt., who was a prisoner in Germany, is now officially reported to have died. The following letter has been received by Mr. Welch, 57, Glassbrook-road, Rushden, from the Red Cross Committee of the International Agency of the Prisoners of War at Switzerland:- “We are much grieved to inform you that the following report appears on the list despatched from Berlin:- '12-6-18. Welch, T. E., Pte. 2894, Northants Infantry Regt.(no other details). Died 23-3-18 in the Central Ambulance at Essigny-le, Grand of Granat. Split right leg. Was buried same place in common cemetery. Grave No.6.' " The young soldier was missing on the day mentioned as the date of his death. A lieutenant wrote to his parents stating he was a prisoner and wounded, but that with care he would recover. Pte. Welch was 23 years of age, and joined up in December, 1914. He went with the first Expeditionary Force to the Dardanelles, and after a while was invalided home with typhoid. He was, on recovery, drafted to the Northants and went to France in January, 1917. He was wounded in May of that year.