George Arthur Welsh
Encyclopedia
George Arthur "Art" Welsh DSO
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(28 July 1896 – 16 February 1965) was a Canadian
flying ace, farmer and political figure. He represented Muskoka—Ontario
in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
as a Progressive Conservative
member from 1945 to 1955.
He was born in Sunderland, Ontario
, the son of Art Welsh, and was educated there, in Lindsay
and at the University of Toronto
where he qualified as a Physical Education teacher. In 1917, he enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps
and served in northeast France
during World War I
. He received the Belgian Croix de Guerre
and was credited with five "victories". On his return, he served as village postmaster and took over ownership of the family farm and mill. At the beginning of World War II
, Welsh reenlisted in the Royal Canadian Army and was put in charge of an anti-tank battery. His unit took part in the invasion of Sicily
in July 1943. Welsh was awarded the Distinguished Service Order
twice. He was wounded in September 1943 and returned to Canada to serve as commander of the training wing at Camp Shilo
. Welsh served in the provincial cabinet as Minister of Travel and Publicity from 1946 to 1948 and Provincial Secretary and Registrar
from 1949 to 1955. After retiring from politics, Welsh served as sheriff for Ontario County
.
He died of a heart attack in Hastings, Barbados
.
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
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Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
(28 July 1896 – 16 February 1965) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
flying ace, farmer and political figure. He represented Muskoka—Ontario
Muskoka—Ontario
Muskoka—Ontario was a federal electoral district represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1925 to 1949. It was located in the province of Ontario...
in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario , is the legislature of the Canadian province of Ontario, and is the second largest provincial legislature of Canada...
as a Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario , is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. The party was known for many years as "Ontario's natural governing party." It has ruled the province for 80 of the years since Confederation, including an uninterrupted run from 1943 to 1985...
member from 1945 to 1955.
He was born in Sunderland, Ontario
Sunderland, Ontario
Sunderland is a community located approximately 100 km northeast of Toronto, Ontario in Brock Township, in the Regional Municipality of Durham, Ontario, Canada.-Business and Commerce:...
, the son of Art Welsh, and was educated there, in Lindsay
Lindsay, Ontario
Lindsay is a community of 19,361 people on the Scugog River in the Kawartha Lakes region of south-eastern Ontario, Canada. It is approximately west of Peterborough...
and at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
where he qualified as a Physical Education teacher. In 1917, he enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
and served in northeast France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He received the Belgian Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
and was credited with five "victories". On his return, he served as village postmaster and took over ownership of the family farm and mill. At the beginning of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Welsh reenlisted in the Royal Canadian Army and was put in charge of an anti-tank battery. His unit took part in the invasion of Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
in July 1943. Welsh was awarded the Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
twice. He was wounded in September 1943 and returned to Canada to serve as commander of the training wing at Camp Shilo
CFB Shilo
Canadian Forces Base Shilo is an Operations and Training base of the Canadian Forces, located east of Brandon, Manitoba. During the 1990s, Canadian Forces Base Shilo was also designated as an Area Support Unit, which acts as a local base of operations for south-west Manitoba in times of military...
. Welsh served in the provincial cabinet as Minister of Travel and Publicity from 1946 to 1948 and Provincial Secretary and Registrar
Provincial Secretary and Registrar of Ontario
The Provincial Secretary and Registrar of Ontario was a senior position in the provincial cabinet of Ontario from before Canadian Confederation until the 1960s....
from 1949 to 1955. After retiring from politics, Welsh served as sheriff for Ontario County
Ontario County, Ontario
Ontario County was the name of two historic counties in the Canadian province of Ontario.The original Ontario County existed from 1792 to 1800 as part of the Eastern District, and consisted of the islands in the St. Lawrence River...
.
He died of a heart attack in Hastings, Barbados
Hastings, Barbados
Hastings is a small village and beach resort in the parish of Christ Church, Barbados on the south-western coast. It has a beautiful white sandy beach and is often a location for surfing on the island....
.