WELCH, David Egerton (1890-1950)
David Egerton Welch was born near Murchison on 23 September 1890, the son of David William Welch and Mary Jane nee Winstanley. The Geelong College Enrolment Register lists his birth date as 23 September 1891 however his Victorian Birth Registration is dated in 1990 pre-dating the 1991 date.
He was enrolled as a day student in 1905, leaving in 1907. His address at enrolment was 'Tavistock', Pakington Street, Newtown.
During World War I, he enlisted (No. 3891) in the AIF on 10 July 1915 in 21 Battalion (7th Reinforcement Group), and embarked on HMAT A18 Wiltshire on 18 November 1915 for France. There he transferred to 60 Battalion and was wounded in action, suffering shell hock at Fleurbaix on 21 July 1916. He was evacuated to England by HS Jan Breydel. Pegasus of August 1916 reported:
'D E Welch is at present in the Australian General Hospital, London, suffering from shell shock.'
He was invalided to Australia on HS Karoola, embarking on 22 February 1917. He was discharged on 2 June 1917.
He died on 24 June 1950 at Geelong.
His brother, Alfred Allan Welch (1892-1959) was also educated at Geelong College.
Sources: 'Geelong Collegians at the Great War' compiled by J. Affleck. p338 (citing The Pegasus; National Archives).