I am trying to research the Lt & Qm William Joseph Welch and have so far, with the help of his service papers from the MoD, I have ascertained the following about him:
Born Greenwich, 5 December 1901
Enlisted 2nd Battalion The Manchester Regiment 30 Sept 1920.
Started as a private and moved up (and down) through the ranks until promoted RQMS and then RSM on 13/1/1940.
Served;
Home 30/9/20 to 25/9/21 – 2nd Battalion
India 26/9/1921 to 28/12/32 – 2nd Battalion
Burma 29/10/32 TO 27/12/33 (awarded IGSM “BURMA 1930-32â€) – 2nd Battalion
Home 28/12/33 to 12/4/42 (awarded Army LSGC – 1939) – 2nd Battalion. Taken on strength of POW camps and posted to No 2 PoW Camp, Oldham on 3/9/39. Appears not to have gone to France with BEF.
East Africa 13/4/42 to 6/9/43 – Permanent Staff EAC BDC.
1/9/43 discharged from the ranks and commissioned Manchester Regiment – LT & QM.
7/9/43 posted to 46th KAR as Lt & QM.
23/2/44 embarked East Africa for Ceylon.
6/11/44 embarked Ceylon for India.
20/11/44 entered concessional area.
Unfortunately I have so far been unable to obtain his officer's papers and have not been able to find Lt & QM Welch in the online Army Lists.
So my questions are:
Has anyone any information on Lt Welch? (I think I have all his O/R service).
The 46th KAR appear to have served in Burma in WWI as did 2nd Manchesters. As Lt Welch's medal group includes a Burma Star did he serve in Burma with the KAR or with the Manchesters?
What exactly was the "concessional area"?
Any further information or suggestions for further research most gratefully received.
Many thanks.
Bob B
