S. Africa Colonial Singles

Lot 1468    SESSION 6 (9.30AM TUESDAY 31ST AUGUST)    S. Africa Colonial Singles

Estimate $250
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $420

QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL 1899, (type 3 reverse). 1 S.Q.M.Sjt. E.H.S.Welchman. Peddie D.M.T. Impressed. Nicely toned, extremely fine.

Recorded on medal roll of Peddie District Mounted Troops as 1 Staff Q.M.Sergt Welchman, E.H.S.

Some time after his service in South Africa, Ernest Welchman moved to Western Australia. During WWI he volunteered for service in the AIF, his service file revealing the following details. Ernest Herbert Steeds Welchman, clerk, age 47, born at West Lydford, Somerton, Somersetshire, England; Enl.03Feb1915 at Blackboy Hill, W.A. with 2 years 4 months previous service in South Africa with District Mounted Troops; Disch.17Jan1916 as Medically Unfit; Re-Enl.17Jan1916 for Home Service; accidentally killed 16Oct1916.

Staff Sergeant Ernest Welchman, a member of the Headquarters Staff at Blackboy Hill, Western Australia was run down by a military train at Helena Vale about midnight on 16 October 1916 as he was crossing the tracks on the way back to camp after leave. He was quickly placed aboard the train and hurried to Perth but died a short time later before arrival. He was buried on 18 October at the Anglican Cemetery, Karrakatta. Staff Sergeant Welchman was highly regarded by all the men at the camp and a glowing tribute to him was published in the Camp Chronicle on 26 October 1916. There was no entitlement to WWI medals as he did not embark from Australia for active service abroad however his wife was issued with a Memorial Plaque in his name.

Ex. W (Bill) Woolmore Collection.