Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

Defence Platoon, 1st Airlanding Brigade, 1st Airborne Division, British Army

Awarded on:

October 21st, 1943

Awarded for:

Operation Husky

Citation:
"Lieutenant Welch who is Commanding my Brigade Defence Platoon landed with his glider load in approximately the correct area. He should normally have joined up with the remainder of Brigade Headquarters but no other gliders were forthcoming. He organised his force of 14 men and proceeded north to the Bridge South of Syracuse. On this journey he met and fought several small parties of Italians capturing 9. He arrived at the Bridge at approximately 0430 hours and found it in the possession of a Platoon of 2nd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. He at once helped to clarify the situation and remained in situ. The bridge was heavily attacked with Mortar and Machine Gun fire from 1100 to 1700 hours when, owing to the number of casualties inflicted by the enemy, certain elements of our troops were forced to surrender.



As the enemy approached the Bridge at about 1600 hours Lieutenant Welch was wounded in the hip in a rough and tumble with 3 Italians. He feigned death and remained at his post with 7 survivors of his party until the Bridge was retaken by a counter-attack. Throughout the day he displayed great powers of leadership and courage and although he had a nasty flesh wound has not been to hospital except for the purpose of dressings. His unfailing cheerfulness throughout the day in a very difficulty situation resulted in the morale of his men being maintained at an exceedingly high level."