Arthur James Welson

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 23/02/2025 17:56:16

Hi

I recently had the incredible honour of inheriting my great uncle's war medals. Arthur James Welson was my great uncle but always known within our family as "uncle Reg". He and his wonderful wife Betty were my incredible and beloved god parents, uncle Reg being my childhood (and indeed adult) hero! Reg was a hill farmer right on the England/Wales border (Offa's Dyke running along the top perimeter of his land) located at the small hamlet of Upper Hergest near Kington in Herefordshire.
As with many veterans he chose not to talk about his wartime experiences (although he did spend his whole life wearing his green beret!) so I have absolutely no idea about his military history, not even his rank, unit etc.
As such I am hoping that there is someone out there whom can offer me further information or at least some direction. As the recently appointed custodian of those service medals I think it only right that I understand the history in as much detail as possible in order that I can honour his memory to the high level that it deserves.
Thanks in advance for any assistance that you can offer to assist me with my quest .

Sincere regards

Pete

PS: I believe that his service number was: PLY/X 101058 (Assume "PLY" is Plymouth?)

Hi Pete

If that service number is correct your great uncle was a Commando in the Royal Marines. PLY is Plymouth. The number indicates that he enlisted as 'Hostilities Only', ie. the duration of the war. In WW2 not all Royal Marines were Commandos but your great uncle's green beret indicates at some time he trained as one and joined a commando unit. You should apply to the National Archives for a copy of his Service Record which hopefully will show a timeline of service and ships/units. It is an online application and I have included the link below. There are very long waiting times at present due to the fact that millions of military records are being digitised however the initial application is free with only a small charge when they find them to have them sent to you. I strongly advise you to include a copy of his death certificate with your application to avoid content being redacted due to their terms of disclosure. I have checked what I have and unfortunately cannot find his name but I am aware the nominal rolls and archive pages in the Commando Veterans Archive are not complete. In the meantime if you have any photos of Arthur wearing his green beret even if post war why don't you post them here.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/mod-closed-foi-request-step1

Hi Pete

Thank you so much for this information, it is invaluable to me as I embark on my quest.
It's also wonderful just to obtain the general information that you have offered.
Thanks for the link to National Archives and the heads-up regarding a death certificate, I will now see if it is possible to obtain copy.
I will also see if there are any photos of him wearing his treasured green beret available and, if so, upload here as suggested. However, I think these are more likely to be of him racing around the fields on his little red David Brown tractor or shearing sheep than formal regimental!

It may be of some interest to yourself that, ironically, I became most acutely aware of Reg's military service at his funeral which was attended by many uniformed colleagues six of whom were bearers to the coffin which was dressed with The Union Flag. Whilst highly emotional it was an incredible farewell from not only his immediate and extended family but also from his "brothers in arms".

Once again many thanks for your assistance, wishing health and happiness to you and yours.

Sincere regards

Pete