In Horden St. Mary’s Churchyard is the Commonwealth War Grave of D/KX86957 Leading Stoker John Bellingham, serving on H.M.S. Duke of York with the Royal Navy who died 22/12/1944.
The son of Joseph William and Mary Bellingham and the husband of Margaret J. Bellingham of Horden.
The Horden St Mary’s burials are commemorated at Horden Cemetery.
The Liverpool Evening Express 22/12/1944 reports:-
One Killed Two Hurt At Waterloo
A Royal Naval stoker, John Bellingham (28), of Horden, Co. Durham, was killed, and another naval seaman who was with him, Edward Schofield (20), of Liverpool, was injured when they were knocked down by a ’bus in Crosby-road South, Waterloo, about 10.20 last night. Miss Molly Askew, of 25, Irvine Street, Litherland, was also injured. Schofield and Miss Askew were taken to hospital,’ where they are progressing favourably.
The Liverpool Daily Post 27/01/1945 reports:-
NAVAL MAN KILLED
At a North-West inquest yesterday on Leading Stoker John Bellingham, aged 28, R.N., of Horden, Co. Durham, fatally injured when knocked down by a Ribble bus in Crosby Road South, Seaforth, on December 21, a verdict of Death from misadventure was returned. George Metcalfe, Crosby Road South, said he saw Bellingham, a woman named Askew, injured in the accident, and another naval seaman walking in the middle of the road. It was drizzling and visibility was poor. The bus driver could not do anything to avoid a collision.
John Bellingham is remembered at Horden on H130.02, H130.04 and H130.15, possibly on H130.08 as T.J. Bellingham and in our List of Ships’ Crews.
