Page 248 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

Colonel Simon Plummer MBE reads the Victoria Cross citation
Major General Derek Crabtree CB lays a Royal Berkshire wreath
LCpl James Welch VC, 1R.BERKS
WELCH THEN CHASED FOUR OF THE ENEMY ACROSS THE OPEN AND CAPTURED THEM SINGLE- HANDED
The Victoria Cross
A week later, on Saturday 29th April, Strat eld Saye, Berkshire, honoured the award of the Victoria Cross to LCpl James Welch, 1R.BERKS, a 100 years ago during the an assault on the Hindenberg Line at Gavrelle.
He won his VC –
“For most conspicuous bravery.
On entering the enemy trench, he killed one man after a severe hand-to-hand struggle. Armed only with an empty revolver, L/Cpl. Welch then chased four of the enemy across the open and captured them single-handed.
He handled his machine gun with the utmost fearlessness, and more than once went into the open fully exposed to heavy re at short range, to search for and collect ammunition and spare parts in order to keep his guns in action, which he succeeded in doing for over ve hours till wounded by a shell.
He showed throughout the utmost valour and initiative.”
Lieutenant, the Duke of Wellington, whose Estate it is, attended and unveiled the paving stone; 7RIFLES provided a Guard of Honour, and two Buglers; The ACF provided a strong detachment who were intimately involved as wreath bearers; and Colonel Simon Plummer MBE RIFLES read the citation. The village had unearthed 13 members of the Welch family who travelled from as far as North Shields to be there and were the focus of considerable media attention.
Once the Ri es Regional MAIN EFFORT was over, work strands turned to Ri es Sport which can be coordinated from anywhere, so the coordination of the Ri es Regatta was No Change: equally so The Ri es Cricket Club and The Ri es Golf Society (TRGS). However with the Chair of Cricket deployed mid-season overseas and his Secretary on a four month Short term training team (STTT), it was all hands to the pump to ensure commitments were properly met.
Meanwhile, changes were afoot elsewhere too. The Ri es & RGBW Regimental Association, following a lengthy and turbulent consultation period, voted to
The village of Strat eld Saye, where Welch was
born, gave the occasion everything: the Lord change its Constitution at its Extraordinary General
246 REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
THE RIFLES
7RIFLES Honour Guard at the Welch VC commemoration