WELLAND Frederick Arthur

Evesham Journal and Four Shires Advertiser, 11th May 1918:
HAMPTON MAN KILLED
Mrs. Welland of Hampton Ferry, Evesham, on Saturday received a letter from the Matron of a field hospital in France, stating that her fourth son, Lance-Corpl. Frederick Welland, of the Worcestershires, had died of wounds. The letter, which was dated April 24, ran: – “I am sorry to tell you that your son, Lance-Corpl. F. Welland, was brought here very badly wounded in the abdomen, and died at 6.40 a.m. today (April 24). Nothing could be done to save him, but we made him as comfortable as possible until the end came. He was quite comfortable and sent this message: ‘Remember me to Polly,’ and ‘Good-bye mother, I am going home.’ These were his last words. He was splendidly brave and patient, and mercifully had not long to suffer.” On Tuesday Mrs. Welland received a letter from the Chaplain, in which he stated they laid the body to rest in the cemetery near the hospital that afternoon (April 24), and that is was a beautiful spot on rising ground overlooking the town. Lance-Corpl. Welland, who was 24 years of age last February, and single, joined the Worcestershires two and a half years ago, and went to France in May, 1916. He had been home once on leave from France. He used to be in the employ of Messrs. White Bros. Ltd., of Evesham, and drove their first motor lorry. Mrs. Welland has another son, who is an old soldier of eight years service – Corpl. Albert Welland, of the Worcestershires – who has served two years in France, and is now stationed on the East Coast.

(Frederick was the son of George and Mary Jane Welland (nee Durbin) who were married in 1879)

The clock on Hampton St Andrew’s Church is a war memorial to WW1 and is inscribed with the words: War Memorial 1914-18.

The tenor bell is inscribed “also in memory of the sons of Hampton who died for the sacred cause of liberty and freedom”.