William Welsh (RAF officer)
Sir William Welsh | |
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Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Cross Air Force Cross Mentioned in dispatches Officer of the Order of the Crown (Belgium) Croix de guerre (France) Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (Poland) Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States) | |
Relations | Dame Mary Welsh (m. 1922-1947; divorced) Elysabeth Cochran Welsh (née Carrere; formerly Mrs Barbour) (m. 1947-1962; his death) |
Early career
Welsh started his career in the Merchant Navy and from 1910 he was midshipman in the
In 1918, Welsh received his first command as head of No. 17 Squadron RNAS, which became No. 217 Squadron on the formation of the RAF and then went on to command No. 214 Squadron from January 1918.[1] Stationed in Egypt, Welsh was awarded a permanent commission as a Major on 1 August 1919.[1]
Interwar years
Following the war, Welsh continued with developmental flying and, in 1921, he surveyed the air route from
Second World War
Welsh served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of
Later years
Following his retirement, Welsh stayed in the United States and eventually divorced his wife, Dame Mary Welsh, to marry, in 1947, Elysabeth Cochran Carrere; formerly Mrs Barbour, who was previously married to United States Senator
Welsh would later become the North American representative for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders until his death on 2 January 1962.[1]