George Walton Welham

A Private with the 10th Battalion, George died on 30th of April 1918 at the age of 27. 

George was born at Kirkley in 1890, a son of George and Mary Welham. In 1891 his family lived at 112 London Road and by 1901 they were living at 259 London Road. They were still living at 259 London Road in 1911 and George worked as a ship’s carpenter for Richards shipbuilders. On 13 February 1914 George left for Australia, sailing from London to Brisbane on the S.S. Orsova.  

George attested for the Australian Army, at Adelaide, on 17 October 1916. He joined the 23Reinforcements of the 10th Infantry Battalion, service number 7087. He embarked at Adelaide on 16 December 1916 and disembarked at Devonport on 16 February 1917. He joined the 3rd Battalion at Durrington and embarked at Folkestone on 14 May 1917 and arrived at Le Havre on 15 May 1917, joining the 1st Australian Base Depot. He was taken on the strength of the 10th Battalion on 28 May 1917. He became unwell, because of an inguinal hernia, and was admitted to 3rd Australian Field ambulance, then 56 Casualty Clearing Station on 7 July 1917, and 6 General Hospital, Rouen, on 9 July and was discharged to the 1st Australian Base Depot, at Havre, on 11 July. George was posted to the Central Training School, Havre, on 26 July to act as Batman to Lieutenant Dodson. He joined 1st Australian Base Depot on 11 August. 

George was sent to England on escort duty on 11 October 1917 and was granted ten days leave in England from 12 October 1917. On 16 October George married Florence Matilda Rose at Saint Margaret’s Church. George was a soldier on active service and Florence lived at 10 Jacob Street.

George rejoined 1st Australian Base Depot on 22 October 1917 and rejoined the 10th Battalion on 6 November. He was granted leave to the U.K. from 10 to 27 February 1918. 

On 30 April 1918 the 10th Battalion were in positions near Meteren. George was killed in action on that day, one of 26 men of the battalion killed during that month.