George Arthur Welsh

George Arthur Welsh DSO & Bar (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.

George Arthur Welsh
Ontario MPP
In office 1945–1951
Preceded by	James Francis Kelly
Succeeded by	Robert Boyer
Constituency	Muskoka–Ontario
Personal details
Born	(1896-07-28)28 July 1896 Sunderland, Ontario
Died	16 February 1965(1965-02-16) (aged 68) Hastings, Barbados
Political party	Progressive Conservative
Occupation	Farmer
Military service
Allegiance	Canadian
Branch/service	Royal Flying Corps Canadian Army
Years of service	1917–1918 1939–1943
Rank	Commander
Battles/wars	Operation Husky (1943)
Awards	Belgian Croix de guerre, DSO

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 Canadian Army and was put in charge of an anti-tank battery. His unit took part in the Allied 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.

References

External links

• George Arthur Welsh, Dominion Institute Digital Archive
• Ontario Legislative Assembly parliamentary history