In Sunderland Southwick Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of:

1609003 Gunner
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 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,  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.

The Faversham News 20/12/1940 reports:-
RA Gunner Killed
Tragic end to despatch ride
While riding on his motor cycle to his station after a despatch ride on Wednesday morning last week, a 20 year old Gunner in the Royal Artillery was passing between two lorries on the Ashford Road at Sheldwich when he collided with one of them and was killed.

He was Herbert Cecil Bellenie, whose home was at 5 Varner Street, Southwick, Sunderland.

An inquest was held on Friday morning at “Lords,” Sheldwich. by Mr. Rutley Mown, the East Kent Coroner, who sat with a jury which comprised Messrs. G. Haggart foreman). E. W. Woodward, J. Knight, H. E. Tibbitts, L. T. Roalfe, R. F. Fuller, E. J. Nightingale, S. D. Payne and D. W. Morgan-Kirby.

Lance-Bombr. A. F. Bryce, of the deceased’s Battery. gave evidence of identification and stated that Bellenie was believed to have been a miner in civil life.

Asked by the Coroner what experience of motor cycling deceased had had, witness stated that he had two months’ training as a despatch rider and had since been engaged on that duty for about a month, regularly driving a motor cycle during that time He had good sight and hearing and was in good health

Witness stated that on Wednesday morning deceased was returning from headquarters to which he had taken a message. As he had delivered the message there was no special need for speed in getting back.

The story of what happened was told by 2/Lieut. Ronald Patrick Wingate. He said that at about 9.30 on Wednesday morning he was travelling in a Bedford lorry as a passenger, sitting in front with the driver. They were on the Ashford Road at Sheldwich on their correct side, proceeding in the direction of Ashford. At Sheldwich witness saw an R.A.S.C. 3-ton lorry parked on its near side facing them. When he first saw it they were about fifty yards from it and they were travelling at from 20-25 m.p.h. Almost simultaneously he saw three soldiers standing in the middle of the road at the rear of the stationary lorry. Witness’ driver sounded his horn and slowed down to about 15 m.p.h. The three men shifted to behind the lorry.

As the lorry the witness was on drew level with the stationary lorry, the witness saw an Army despatch rider approaching, at a speed which witness estimated at from 35-40 m.p.h. He was well out on his right-hand side, presumably to pass the lorry. Witness driver immediately pulled on to the grass verge on his near side, which left the motor cyclist about 51 feet space between the two lorries.

The cyclist’s right-hand handlebar, however, struck the front off-side mudguard of the lorry witness was on. The driver of the latter pulled up in approximately 17 feet and witness immediately got out and went back. He saw the motor cyclist lying on the road. He was carried into “Lords,” which was close by. and witness summoned a doctor.

The deceased was unconscious and never spoke a word.

In reply to the Coroner. witness said that there was good visibility at the time.

P.C. Frederick William Henry Martin, stationed at Sheldwich, stated that in response to a telephone message which he received at 10.15 am. he went to “Lords” where he saw the body of deceased who had suffered severe injuries to his head and face.

Witness produced a sketch plan he had made of the road at the scene of the accident, where there is a slight curve. He stated that the surface was good.

He went on to say that he interviewed the driver of the Bedford lorry, Pte. Peter Harrison. who said:— “I was driving an Army lorry along the Ashford Road towards Ashford. I had a passenger on the seat next to mine, and a sergeant and two privates were riding in the back. We were well on our near side and going at 15-20 m.p.h. As I approached “Lords” I saw an Army lorry stationary and facing towards Faversham on my offside of the road. I also saw three men at the back of the lorry so I sounded my born and slowed down. Just as I drew level an Army motor cyclist appeared suddenly in my path. I pulled in on to the verge but the cyclist’s handlebar struck my wing and I afterwards saw the motor cyclist lying in the road. He did not speak.”

Answering a juryman. P.C. Martin said that weather conditions were also good at the time.

Capt. Cecil Manners-Bell. R.A.M.C., said he was summoned to “Lords” and found the deceased dead. Injuries included a fracture at the base of the skull.

The Coroner, in summing up. said it was very sad that a young life should have been lost in these circumstances. He went on to remark that he had often noticed the speed at which despatch rider, travelled. Speed might be necessary in an emergency, but there were times when it was not as in this case, for the motor cyclist had delivered his message and was simply returning to unit There was no need for hurry at all.

A verdict of “death by misadventure ” was returned and sympathy with the deceased’s relatives was expressed

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 is remembered at Southwick on S130.22 and in Peter Gibson’s book.