A 'Fireman's' Second World War Civil Defence & Post-War Long Service Medal Group of 4: Chief Officer Harold Welch, Royal Ordnance Factory, Radway Green

- Defence Medal
- Fire Brigade Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. EIIR (Harold Welch)
- National Fire Brigades Association Long Service Medal. With ‘Ten Years’ clasp (12313 Harold Welch)
- St. John Ambulance Association Re-examination Cross. Bronze gilt (21.4.61 Harold Welch)

The former Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF), Radway Green manufactures small arms ammunition for the British armed forces. It is located in the hamlet of Radway Green near Barthomley near Alsager in Cheshire in the UK

Harold Welch son of Richard Welch (a Corporation Labourer with Town Council) & Agnes Elizabeth Welch (nee Cartwright) was a native of Crewe, Cheshire, England, where he was born on, 1 December 1903. The 1911 National Census for England and Wales, records Harold (at School) and residing with his parents and five older siblings (3 x brothers & 2 x sisters) at the family residence located at, 7 Castle Street, Crewe. Harold married Winnifred Lovelock in Cheshire sometime during the last quarter of 1924. At the time of the compilation of the National Register for England & Wales in 1939, Harold Welch is shown employed as 'Motor Driver & Fireman Local Authority' - while under the remarks column is further added details of his duty with the Auxiliary Fore Service (A.F.S.), and residing with his wife and two children at, 27 Badger Avenue, Crewe, Cheshire. Post-war local newspapers contain several interesting articles pertaining to Harold Welch's services at R.O.F. Radway Green. A captioned photograph of Harold and his wife celebrating their 'Diamond Wedding' was published in the 'Evening Sentinel issue of, 18 April 1985, with below caption:

Quote,

The Queen's Telegram for Mr. & Mrs. Harold Welch, of Talke Road Alsager, who are celebrating their Diamond Wedding. When Mr. Welch had retired he had completed 44 years' service with the fire service, including 29 years as Chief Fire Officer at R.O.F. Radway Green and been awarded the fire brigade's long service medal.

Unquote.

Note: There is only one person named Harold Welch, recorded as employed as a Fireman in the National Register for England & Wales, 1939

ConditIon: About EF

Code: 24543