Lieutenant Colonel #?
Thomas Baird was was the first soldier from Canada to set foot in France, died at his home 182 Quellete Ave, Windsor, on Sunday morning, 24 March 1918, following complications which resulted from an operation he underwent for kidney trouble. Lieut. Col Welch had been the central figure in mobilizing and organizing units in Windsor since the war began. When the war broke out he offered his services to the Government and became transport officer for the first Canadian contingent. As officer in charge of this division, he was the first of the Dominion soldiers to set foot on French soil. He also served as Major in the 1st Battalion. After a year’s service in France he was recalled to organize and command the 99th (Essex) Battalion, the first county battalion to be raised in Canada. He went to England with the battalion but there it was broken up and the men detailed to fill gaps in other Canadian contingents on the fighting front. He is buried in the Strathroy Cemetery.
