Sergeant Edwin Thomas Sayers Welsford Royal Artillery and Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment
The Man Edwin Thomas Sayers Welsford was born on Sunday 14th October 1917 in Wandsworth, London, son of Alfred Joseph a Marble & Stonemason and Mabel Jane nee Sayers. He seems to have been one of three children, Nellie May born on 28th March 1914 and Joan R 13th September 1915. His religion was Church of England
Following his education Edwin became a Clerk in a Transport Depot and on 12th February 1937 aged 20 enlisted as a Gunner into the 157 Battery, Royal Artillery Territorial Army with service number 865776 at Putney. He was described as 5’.11” tall, weighing 155 lbs with brown hair, blue eyes, fresh complexion and a chest of 37”.
In 1939 the family were family living at 28 Fawe Park Road, Wandsworth and Edwin, awaiting his imminent mobilisation. Following the start of World War II and his call up Edwin saw service in Northwest Europe as part of the British Expeditionary force in France from 11th October 1939 – 17th June 1940, possibly as one of the last Dunkirk evacuees. North Africa between 31st October 1942 and 28th June 1943 and the British North Africa Forces in Algiers to Tunis from 29th June 1943 to 29th May 1946. On 7th December 1944 he was transferred into the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment having been promoted to Sergeant.
Following the war, he was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with ‘1st Army’ clasp, Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 and in Army Order 201 of December 1945 the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’.
In 1946 Edwin was still living at 28 Fawe Park Road and on 14th September the same year transferred to the Z Class Reserve. He was discharged from the army on 30th June 1947 under Para 204 6(a) TA Regs 36 – ‘His services no longer being required having reenlisted into the Territorial Army’ - having served 7 years and 53 days with the colours and 3 years 86 days on the reserve, totalling 10 years 139 days. His service was given as exemplary.
Following his education Edwin became a Clerk in a Transport Depot and on 12th February 1937 aged 20 enlisted as a Gunner into the 157 Battery, Royal Artillery Territorial Army with service number 865776 at Putney. He was described as 5’.11” tall, weighing 155 lbs with brown hair, blue eyes, fresh complexion and a chest of 37”.
In 1939 the family were family living at 28 Fawe Park Road, Wandsworth and Edwin, awaiting his imminent mobilisation. Following the start of World War II and his call up Edwin saw service in Northwest Europe as part of the British Expeditionary force in France from 11th October 1939 – 17th June 1940, possibly as one of the last Dunkirk evacuees. North Africa between 31st October 1942 and 28th June 1943 and the British North Africa Forces in Algiers to Tunis from 29th June 1943 to 29th May 1946. On 7th December 1944 he was transferred into the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment having been promoted to Sergeant.
Following the war, he was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with ‘1st Army’ clasp, Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 and in Army Order 201 of December 1945 the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’.
In 1946 Edwin was still living at 28 Fawe Park Road and on 14th September the same year transferred to the Z Class Reserve. He was discharged from the army on 30th June 1947 under Para 204 6(a) TA Regs 36 – ‘His services no longer being required having reenlisted into the Territorial Army’ - having served 7 years and 53 days with the colours and 3 years 86 days on the reserve, totalling 10 years 139 days. His service was given as exemplary.
Edwin re-enlisted into the TA Royal Army Service Corps at Wandsworth the next day, 1st July 1947 and finally left the TA at his own request on 26th July 1949, having served a further 2 years and 26 days.
In the last quarter of 1951 aged 34 he married Brenda Beazer in Wandsworth and they lived at 4 Glendarvon Street, Putney, together with the Jones family. They later moved to 23 Bennett Park Road, Greenwich and in 1962-63 moved again to 102d Shooters Hill Road, Greenwich. On 30th July 1965 Edwin became a life member of the Royal Artillery Association.
Edwin and Brenda appear to have had no children and separated as in 1977 she remarried to a Roy Deal.
In later life Edwin lived at Gallions View Care Home Shooters Hill Road, Thamesmead, a unit specialising in dementia care and passed away aged 77 on 2nd April 1995. He was buried at Greenwich Cemetery, grave number 6527 in the 3rd Consecrated plot on 12th April.
In the last quarter of 1951 aged 34 he married Brenda Beazer in Wandsworth and they lived at 4 Glendarvon Street, Putney, together with the Jones family. They later moved to 23 Bennett Park Road, Greenwich and in 1962-63 moved again to 102d Shooters Hill Road, Greenwich. On 30th July 1965 Edwin became a life member of the Royal Artillery Association.
Edwin and Brenda appear to have had no children and separated as in 1977 she remarried to a Roy Deal.
In later life Edwin lived at Gallions View Care Home Shooters Hill Road, Thamesmead, a unit specialising in dementia care and passed away aged 77 on 2nd April 1995. He was buried at Greenwich Cemetery, grave number 6527 in the 3rd Consecrated plot on 12th April.
Wdwin Welsford's Dog Tags and numbered TA lapel badge.
The Story The medal group awarded to Edwin Thomas Sayers Welsford were acquired from PF Windibank auctioneers on 22nd April 2023. They were acquired on a bit of a whim, as the lot came with photographs and relevant paperwork.
On arrival, they proved to be no disappointment, as the papers were all intact and gave a lot of information about his life, enabling a more detailed search of Ancestry.UK and a brief biography to be compiled.
It was also interesting find his burial register and the fact he is buried in Greenwich Cemetery in London which was duly visited on Monday 8th May 2023. CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF CEMETERY.
On arrival, they proved to be no disappointment, as the papers were all intact and gave a lot of information about his life, enabling a more detailed search of Ancestry.UK and a brief biography to be compiled.
It was also interesting find his burial register and the fact he is buried in Greenwich Cemetery in London which was duly visited on Monday 8th May 2023. CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES OF CEMETERY.
Medal Details:
- 1939 - 45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Africa Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Italy Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Efficiency Medal: 865776 SJT. E.T.WELSFORD. R.W.KENT.R.
Return to: The Collection
Go to Previous Page: Denis Keliher WELLS
Go next Page: Harry David WESTBURY
Go to Previous Page: Denis Keliher WELLS
Go next Page: Harry David WESTBURY
This page last updated 8 May 23
125