Photo: Derek Haynes
H.C. Bellenie
29th Searchlight Regt. R.A.
Lately Royal Engineers
11th December 1940 age 20
In loving memory
Of our dear son Herbert
Accidentally killed.
Derek Haynes has provided the following:
Herbert, the eldest child of James Harold & Elizabeth Ellen Bellenie (nee Lloyd) was born on the 7th May 1920 and baptised on the 6th June 1920 in St. Columba Church, Southwick. This was the same church where his parents were married in on the 23rd December 1916; at the time of the marriage James was employed as a Miner.
The other children from the marriage were:
Irene Silvia born 17th September 1924 and baptised 9th October 1924 in St. Columba Church.
James Davies born 4th December 1932 and baptised 22nd December 1932 in St. Columba Church.
(The birth was registered in the March Q 1933).
Vera Enid was born 7th February 1930 and baptised 27th February 1930 in St. Columba Church.
At the time of the above births the family was residing at 66 Carley Road, Southwick.
It is not known when Herbert signed up but he enlisted in the Royal Artillery with the 508 Battery 29 Searchlight Regiment and was given the regimental number 1608003, he also served with the 29 AA Battalion, Royal Engineers. Herbert died on the 11th December 1940 in Kent, though no records are available it would appear he was killed as the result of an accident, his body was returned to the family home in Southwick.
The family placed the following announcement in the Sunderland Echo 14/12/1940:
At Ashford, Kent (the result of an accident) Herbert Cecil R.A., the dearly beloved son of James and Ellen Bellenie. Internment at Southwick Cemetery on Monday, cortege leaving residence (5 Varna Street, Southwick) for service in St Columba’s Church. Friends kindly invited. Deeply mourned.
A photo of Herbert appeared in the Roll of Honour in the Sunderland Echo 16/12/1940.
Herbert was laid to rest on Monday 16th December 1940 in Section V, Grave no. 10367 of Southwick Cemetery.
His father James, who served with the Yorkshire Regiment in World War 1, lived to the age of 70; he died late February 1963 in Cherry Knowles Hospital, Ryhope and was laid to rest on the 1st March 1963 in Section T Grave no. 9193 of Southwick Cemetery.
His mother Elizabeth was to survive her husband by five years. She died at her home 36 Edmonton Square in May 1971, aged 75 years, and was buried on the 20th May 1971 in the same plot as her husband.
Herbert Cecil Bellenie's name is listed in Peter Gibson's Book
