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Auction: 22133 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 207

The British War Medal awarded to Company Serjeant-Major J. Weldon, 16th Battalion (Newcastle Commercials), Northumberland Fusiliers, whose astonishing feats of bravery and leadership during the First Day of the Somme earned him a recommendation for the Victoria Cross by his Colonel and led the eventual award of the D.C.M.

British War Medal 1914-20 (16-305 W.O. CL. II. J. Weldon. North'd Fus.), nearly extremely fine

[D.C.M.] London Gazette 13 February 1917, the original recommendation states:

'For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his platoon with great courage and determination, himself accounting for many of the enemy. Later, he dressed 13 wounded men under heavy fire.'

John Weldon was born at Stannington, Northumberland in 1885, the son of John and Margret Weldon. His father was an Eastern Railways signalman and the family lived at 44 Chillingham Road, Heaton. The younger Weldon followed in his father's footsteps, working as a Railway Porter prior to the war.

On the outbreak of the Great War he enlisted with the 16th Battalion (Newcastle Commercials), Northumberland Fusiliers and entered the war in France on 22 November 1915 as Company Sergeant-Major of 'B' Company. In this capacity he was with them during their first introduction to offensive battle, going over the top on the First Day of the Somme. The Battalion went over the top at 07:30 on 1 July 1916 into a hail of fire, the commander of 'B' Company Captain Percy Graham was killed almost immediately and in short order the other officers followed. Weldon took to the head of the Company and led them until finally orders came through to hold where they were.

Finding what cover they could the number of dead and wounded mounted. Weldon was a pillar of strength in those moments, moving from crater to crater he bandaged the wounded and fought a one man war with the German snipers. Twice the rifle was shot from his hands yet on both occasions he found another and fought on, accounts of the number he killed vary from 'nearly a score' to '29 Germans'. Remaining on the battlefield for thirteen hours Weldon finally returned to the trench not to rest but to aid in bringing in the wounded.

Weldon's obituary in the Newcastle Daily Chronicle takes up the story stating:

'Col. Ritson said the recollections of what Sergt.-Major Weldon had done would give great satisfaction and comfort to his parents, his wife and daughter, when the shock of their loss toned down a little. His action was worthy of the Victoria Cross, but that recommendation, as in many other cases, had not been granted. Sergt.-Major Weldon's work was one which would cause a thrill of pride, and the recollection of it would be cherished for many years to come. Col. Ritson pinned the medal on the coat of the deceased's little daughter, and then kissed her, as did the chairman'

Sadly this obituary was not long in coming, Weldon saw continued action after the Somme. Though he did return to Britain in 1917 to attend a reception honouring his astonishing contribution. Seriously wounded in the shoulder, arm and side late 1917 he was reported to be doing well on 22 September 1917 but died the next day at 14th Stationary Hospital, Wimereux as the result of an air raid. He is buried at Wimereux Communal Cemetery; sold together with copied research including extracts from the Newcastle Daily Chronicle, Newcastle Journal and Historical Records of the 16th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers as well as a blog post on the recipient, M.I.C., embarkation and medal rolls.

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Sold for
£220

Starting price
£40