Nick Welch (British Army officer)

Nick Welch (born c. 1964) is a retired officer of the British Army, most notably known for being convicted of fraud for claiming almost £50,000 in allowances related to school fees for his children while they were attending boarding school.

Military Career:

Welch served in the British Army, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Specific details about his prior service history, including regiments and deployments, are not readily available in easily accessible public sources beyond what was presented during his court martial.

Fraud Case and Conviction:

Welch was found guilty of fraud in 2021 at a court martial for claiming Continuous Education Allowance (CEA) to fund his children's private schooling, despite his wife, Charlotte Welch, living with the children primarily in a location that allowed them to be considered day students. The CEA is intended to help cover the cost of education for children of service personnel who are required to live away from their families due to their postings. He was found to have dishonestly claimed the allowance for a period between December 2015 and May 2017.

Aftermath:

Following his conviction, Welch was dismissed from the Army and sentenced to a period of imprisonment. The case garnered significant media attention due to the high-profile nature of the offence and the misuse of public funds. His wife, Charlotte Welch, was also convicted of fraud in connection with the same scheme.