Career
Welsh started his career in the Merchant Navy and from 1910 he was midshipman in the Royal Navy Reserve prior to the outbreak of World War I, Welsh joined the Royal Naval Air Service in November 1914 as a pilot at Royal Naval Air Service Calshot. During the early years of the war, Welsh acted as a test pilot and became one of the first pilots to fly a plane off an early carrier, flying a Sopwith Schneider floatplane off HMS Campania, while sailing at approximately 18 knots, on 6 August 1915. He again repeated this on 3 November with the ship sailing at full speed.
Welsh was shot down while flying a Sopwith Baby seaplane, landing only six miles northeast of Dunkirk on 23 April 1917, although he was unhurt in the crash.
In 1918, Welsh received his first command as head of Number. 17 Squadron Royal Naval Air Service, which became Number.
217 Squadron on the formation of the Royal Air Force and then went on to command Number. 214 Squadron from January 1918.
Stationed in Egypt, Welsh was awarded a permanent commission as a Major on 1 August 1919.
Following the war, Welsh continued with developmental flying and, in 1921, he surveyed the air route from Jerusalem to Baghdad flying across the Syrian Desert. As commanding officer of Number. 14 Squadron, Welsh would serve on the Air Staff at Middle East Area headquarters from August 1921.
Serving in a number of staff and command positions during most of the 20s, Welsh served as commanding officer of the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment from September 1930 until his appointment as commanding officer of Number.
203 Squadron in 1931. In 1934, Welsh became Director of Organization and within three years was named Air Member for Supply and Organisation.
He was present at the funeral of King George V on 28 January 1936. Welsh served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Reserve Command from April 1940, as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Technical Training Command from May 1940 and as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Flying Training Command from July 1941.
Overseeing Eastern Air Command in 1942, Welsh was responsible for providing air support for allied forces in Algeria and Tunisia during Operation Torch.
Welsh would later lead the Royal Air Force delegation in Washington, District of Columbia during 1943 and 1944 before his resignation on 1 December 1944. He would later become the North American representative for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders until his death on 2 January 1962.
