838438 Pte. James Welsh, MM was born on June 25th, 1894 in Sullivan Township near the farming community of Marmion, Ontario, to James and Florence Welsh. The couple would have five children before James Sr. passed away in 1899 and two of their three sons would see service during the Great War.
Having lost their father sons Neil remained on the farm and John joined the 160th Battalion in March 1916. As for James he was already under arms, having joined one of the two independent rifle companies being raised for overseas service by the 31st Regiment. All the men of these two companies were subsequently transferred to the 147th (Grey) Battalion when it was authorized.
Twenty-one year old James attested to the 147th on December 3rd 1915. With no military infrastructure to house so many men James was billeted locally over the winter, until the unit left for centralized training at Camp Niagara in May. As the conditions in this Camp were wanting the unit was moved to the new training facility of Camp Borden in late June. It wasn't until late September that the unit finally received its orders to proceed overseas. After a short leave period the unit left Camp Borden by train on October 6th. Destined for the Port of Halifax the unit was detained in Amherst, Nova Scotia for over a month when a number of soldiers contracted diphtheria. It wasn't until after the unit received a clean bill of health that it boarded the H.M.T. Olympic and sailed for England on November 14th 1916.
On January 1st, 1917, the 147th Battalion ceased to exist when it became the nucleus for the 8th Reserve Battalion, whose task it was to supply reinforcements to a number of units, including the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles. It was while serving in the 8th Reserve Battalion, that, according to his diary, James was arrested and charged for "going to clean up on a officer". For this indiscretion he received ten days Field Punishment No.2 (shackled during marches with the unit, hard labour and usually pay loss).
It was also while undergoing training in England that James lit a smoke bomb that exploded prematurely. Receiving burns to his face and eyes James was hospitalized for nearly a month. Within two weeks of his discharge from hospital, Private Welsh was taken on strength of the 4th C.M.R. on May 13th, 1917.
In July James was sent to the Canadian Corps School to attend a sniper's course and returned in time to participate in the 3rd Battle of Ypres. A battle known better known to history for where it ended: Passchendaele. After the battle the Canadian Corps was returned to the Lens/Arras sector to recuperate and rebuild after the bloodletting it had received. It was during this recuperation period that James was given 14 days leave that he spent in London and Edinburgh, praising the whiskey he consumed there.
Returning to France, he served through the remainder of the winter and German spring offensive. When the B.E.F. went on the offensive, James took part in the Battle of Amiens, and then the Battle of Arras 1918. According to his diary it was during this attack that he "shot several Germans and took twelve prisoners out of one place." For this act of "bravery and devotion under fire" James was awarded the Military Medal. He would continue serving with his unit for the remainder of the war without further incident.
In March 1919, the 4th C.M.R. sailed home aboard the HTS Carmania. Arriving at the Port of Halifax the unit boarded the trains for the journey to Toronto. Pulling into the Toronto North station at 08:00 p.m. on March 19th, the unit was greeted by the ringing of church bells, accompanied by the blowing of factory horns and whistles. Forming up the unit then paraded through the crowds lining the torch-lit streets to much fan fair. Arriving at the University Armoury, all military decorum was lost as the crowds of well wishers broke into their ranks to greet their returning loved ones. After being dismissed many of the men headed for the dispersal section located on the Canadian National Exhibition grounds. 838438 Private James Welsh, MM was struck-off-strength and discharged from the Canadian Expeditionary Force later that day.
On returning to Sullivan Township, James went to work on his older brother's farm. He remained single for the rest of his life and passed away in 1982. He was laid to rest in the Hillcrest Cemetery at Tara, Ontario.
This image is with thanks, and is courtesy of George Auer and The Grey & Simcoe Foresters, who perpetuate the 147th & 248th Battalions today.