Welsh, Rev James Oswald – MC BD was a minister of Blantyre Old Parish Church for 6 years between 1951 and 1957. During his term, he witnessed the closure of the last coal pits in Blantyre and the emergence of many businesses at High Blantyre Industrial Estate.
He had been a hero of WW2 Tank Corps.
When he left Blantyre, he went to Malawi in Africa and this started a link between Blantyre Old Parish and Ekwendeni.
He was much respected by the entire congregation. James was preceded by Rev Archibald MacKenzie and was succeeded by Rev.George M Dale.
From “Blantyre Explained” by Paul Veverka (c) 2018
Featuring Blantyre Project Social Media with permission. Strictly not for use by others on or offline, our visitors said,
Brian Weaver Just for historical accuracy, Paul, his name was Welsh, not O’ Welsh. He was James Oswald Welsh as can be seen in the record of his receiving the Military Cross. This award was for an act of astounding bravery and as a military chaplain, he could easily have avoided being in dangerous places. I met him again some twenty years after he left Blantyre for Kenya. He retired to the Highlands and his housekeeper from Blantyre rejoined him in his latter years. His funeral was at Kilmuir Parish Church on the Cromarty Firth.
Helen Allan Christened me 1954 too