Description
China 1900, bar Relief of Pekin, George William Welch, A.B., H.M.S. Centurion, who served with the Naval Brigade to relieve the Legations at Peking.
Officially impressed: “G. W. Welch, A.B., H.M.S. Centurion.”
Confirmed on the medal roll for both the medal and clasp, which notes this medal was issued to him on HMS Wildfire on 20th May 1902.
Petty Officer George William Welch, first joined the Royal Navy at the young age of 15 in 1895, he would served in the Third China War aka the Boxer Rebellion with the Naval Brigade aged about 20 years old, being sent ashore to join the column that was sent to relieve Peking under siege by the “Boxers”.
During that time he was advanced to Able Seaman, by 1903 he was made Leading Seaman, followed that same year barely 4 months later with a further promotion to Petty Officer 2nd Class.
He died on service at the Royal Naval Hospital at Chatham during 1905, although he was only 25 years old, he was a Petty Officer 2nd Class with 10 years experience as a Sailor.
Born on 20th July 1880 in Bethnal Green, London.
First joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class, aged only 15 on 21th November 1895 at HMS impregnable.
Advanced to Boy 2nd Class 10 days after his 16th Birthday on 30th July 1896.
Having served underage on the Lion, Boscawen, Pembroke I, Alexandra and the Pique.
He first joined HMS Centurion as Boy 1st Class on 6th May 1898.
During this time he turned 18 and became Ordinary Seaman on 20th July 1898.
Also reaching Able Seaman (A.B.) on 19th April 1900.
He left the ship after the China War on 19th September 1901.
He then served at HMS Pembroke, 20th Sept 1901 – 28th Jan 1902
Then Wildfire, 29th Jan 1902 – 7th Jan 1903
HMS Pembroke, 29th Jan 1902 – 7th Jan 1902
Joining HMS Sutlelj on 11th February 1903, he would be advanced to Leading Seaman on 5th May 1903, surprisingly followed shortly afterwards by Petty Officer 2nd Class on 16th October 1903, aged only 23 years old.
He would then join HMS Berwick from 28th November 1903 until 14th February 1905, being discharged as dead.
On 14th February 1905, George died at Royal Naval hospital Chatham from Acute Rheumatism.
