Colin Boyd has supplied the following:
James was born in Sunderland on September 12th 1897 and in 1901 he was living with his parents, Samuel and Jane, and four siblings at 3, Dane Terrace, Sunderland. At the time of the 1911 Census his mother had remarried and James was living with his stepfather, Joseph Settle, at 78, Edward Street, Blaydon-on-Tyne and working as a driver at a local colliery.
James enlisted in the Royal Naval Division on October 18th 1915 and was recorded as living at 11, Railway Street, Blaydon, being a Roman Catholic and working as a machinist. He was described as being 5 feet 5 inches tall with a medium complexion, brown hair and brown eyes.
He was posted to the Hood Battalion and after promotion to Able Seaman on January 16th 1916 James was posted to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on February 16th 1916. The Hood Battalion was transferred to France at the end of May 1916 and James was detached to the 188th Trench Mortar Battery on August 12th 1916. He served with this unit until he was evacuated to England on December 15th 1916 suffering from Trench Fever.
Following treatment at St. Luke's Hospital, Halifax, James was granted leave and rejoined the Hood Battalion in France on August 27th 1917. On November 16th 1917 he received medical treatment for gas poisoning which happened again on December 26th 1917. James was posted to the 189th Brigade Tunneling Company on January 19th 1918 and then back to the 188th Trench Mortar Battery on March 25th 1918. On June 7th 1918 he was sentenced to 7 days Field Punishment No. 1 and to forfeit 7 days pay for "Whilst on active service disobeying an order from a superior officer."
James was admitted to Number 8 General Hospital in Rouen on September 6th 1918 suffering from a gunshot wound to his right thigh which had shattered his femur and died the following day.
The London Gazette of 16/01/1919 contained details of the award of a posthumous Distinguished Conduct Medal to Able Seaman J.J. Bellamy and the citation reads as follows :
"He was acting as a runner to the Company Commander during an attack NW of Achiet-le-Petit on 21/08/918 and working with great gallantry and complete disregard of danger. In country swept by shell and MG fire he rendered service of great value. In company with another man he located and captured an enemy MG disposing of the crew. By his courage and initiative he saved many wounded men by getting them to places of safety in spite of heavy fire."
The Newcastle Daily Chronicle 30/08/1919 reports a Welcome Home reception at which A.B. Bellamy’s mother, now Mrs. Settle, was given his D.C.M. together with a gold medal. His name is wrongly spelled as ‘Bellamby’.
James Joseph Bellamy is remembered at Blaydon on B111.01
