Robert and Esther

Esther with Robert,Esther and Elizabeth

Abbeville Communal Cemetery

Heslops' Local Advertiser

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

Robert Bellerby was the youngest of 4 sons and 1 daughter, born at Windy Nook, Gateshead, County Durham. His father Thomas Bellerby born 1850 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland married there in 1872 Elizabeth Lawson native of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, born in 1848.

Thomas was employed as a coal miner, in 1881 they were living at Arkless Cottages, Windy Nook, Gateshead, the following year he passed away, aged only 32 years, during the 2nd quarter (Ap/May/Jun) 1882 and never knew his son Robert born during the 3rd quarter (Jul/ Aug/Sep) of 1882. His widow to survive was totally dependent on her older children, Simpson (16) was employed as a coal miner, his sister Veena as an apprentice dressmaker. By 1901 with the exception of William (21) and Robert (18) who worked as shifters at the colliery, her other children had left home, they too were married by 1911 and Elizabeth now 62 years of age lived alone in two rooms at 7B, Gladstone Terrace.

Robert Bellerby married at Gateshead Registry Office, December 31st 1902 Esther Diggle born 1886 at Sheriff Hill, Gateshead. His wife gave birth to 5 children Elizabeth born 1904, Robert 1906, Joseph 1908 and Esther in 1910 all born at Felling. In 1911 they were living at 52, Canterbury Street, Welbeck Road, Byker, a suburb of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Robert was employed as a coal miner/hewer but by the time their youngest child Thomas was born during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) of 1914 they had returned to the Gateshead area. They had already lost their son Joseph Diggle Bellerby who died aged 4 years in 1912, unfortunately Thomas also died within the first three months of his brief life.

On the outbreak of war Robert Bellerby enlisted at Felling assigned as Private 21407 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry where he joined the regiment at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In late September and early October 1914, 2,000 recruits travelled by train from Newcastle to Buckinghamshire. At Aylesbury, half were formed into the 14th (Service) Battalion DLI, whilst the other half assembled at Halton Park, near Aylesbury, as the 15th (Service) Battalion DLI. October 3rd 1914, the 14th Battalion joined 15th at the tented camp at Halton Park as part of the 64th Brigade, 21st Division. There bad weather, no khaki uniforms, dummy rifles, and too few officers kept training to little more than basic drill. In early December, both battalions moved to billets at High Wycombe and their training began in earnest, khaki uniforms and rifles were issued.

In early April 1915, the 14th and 15th Battalions marched back to a newly built camp of wooden huts at Halton Park. Training then intensified as the battalions prepared for service overseas, before a final move in July to Witley Camp, near Aldershot.

September 11th 1915, both battalions landed at Boulogne as part of the 21st Division. Two weeks later inexperienced and unprepared they were sent into battle at Loos, in the first major British offensive on the Western Front. After a long march, wet, tired and hungry, the battalions moved forwards across the old British front line, reaching the old German front about 2am, September 26th. Both battalions attacked later that morning only to be driven back by machine gun fire. In the fighting, the 14th Battalion lost almost 300 men killed or wounded, whilst 15th lost over 450 men. Amongst the dead were the two commanding officers.

After a winter in the trenches at Armentieres the 15th Battalion DLI was moved south to prepare for the opening Battles of the Somme. July 1st 1916, the 15th Battalion attacked the German front line north of Fricourt. By early afternoon, they had advanced to Shelter Wood, taking 200 German prisoners for the loss of 450 men killed or wounded, including the commanding officer mortally wounded.

Private 21407 Robert Bellerby Durham Light Infantry was wounded and died of his wounds at 4.30 a.m. July 17th 1916 on the battlefield at Faubourg du Bois, Route de Doullens. His death was registered at the Town Hall at Abbeville, July 17th 1916 at 12.20 p.m. by two, “infermier militaire anglaise”, literally translated, British military nurse, 25-year-old Michael Conachie and 31-year-old Wilfred Fry. Private Bellerby was interred at Abbeville Communal Cemetery, Somme France, grave V. E. 14. He was 33 years old.

His widow Esther of 24, Wellington Street, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham received all monies due to him, his awards of the 1915 Star, War Medal and Victory Medal, also a pension for herself and their 3 children until she remarried at Gateshead in 1918 Walter J Harbottle. Walter was a widower whose wife Elsie May had died in 1914 leaving him with two sons, William James born 1906 and Alfred Edward born 1908.

Esher Harbottle-Bellerby nee Diggle died in 1966 aged 79 years but incorrectly entered as aged 69, registered Durham Central, County Durham.

Robert and Esther’s daughter Elizabeth M. A. Bellerby died in 1984 aged 79 years, Esther Bellerby in 1996 aged 86. Their son Robert Bellerby Jnr. a miner living at 19, Heworth Street, Felling, Gateshead, emigrated when he was 19 years of age. He departed aboard the S. S. Bendigo of the P & O Steamship Line, December 17th 1925, leaving the port of London bound for Melbourne, Australia. He settled for many years at Cowra, New South Wales and it was here that he enlisted to serve during WW2, Service No. NX5465 2nd Australian Imperial Force, naming Elizabeth as his next of kin. It is unclear whether this was his wife or his elder sister. He died in Australia exact details unknown.

Robert Bellerby’s mother Elizabeth Bellerby nee Lawson died in 1924 aged 76 years, registered in the district of Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 21/07/1916:

"Private Robert Bellerby, D.L.I., aged 33 years, died on July 17th of wounds received in action. Husband of Esther Bellerby, 24 Wellington Street, Felling, and son of Elizabeth and the late Thomas Bellerby, of Windy Nook."

He is remembered at Felling on F32.07 and at Windy Nook on W95.16

The CWGC entry for Private Bellerby