Shropshire widow, 96, in quest to learn more about tragic wartime husband
Soldier Alfred Bellamy became a dad on September 2, 1944, but was dead before the month was out, succumbing to his wounds at Middelbeers, Holland, having never seen his son.
And now his widow, who is 96 and lives in a care home in Shropshire, is hoping to find out more about Alfred's life before their tragically brief marriage.
Also picking up the gauntlet has been his great-granddaughter, Sarah-Louise Bellamy, who lives in Telford, and has been doing research over the past few months.
"I have managed to get a copy of his birth, marriage and death certificate and a copy of his Army records," said Sarah-Louise.
"I have been trying to get a first hand account of what he was like in the Army. His wife Phyllis Marjorie Bellamy – now Wilson – wants to know about his life in the Army before he met her.
"Phyllis is 96 and she is in a care home in Alveley but was living in Lincolnshire previously and she remarried twice since my great-grandfather, but has never been divorced, having outlived them all.
"She is able to recall most things from the past and only struggles with her short term memory. She has always had an interest in his early Army days but has always described my great-grandfather as a very quiet man who didn't talk too much about the Army.
"She first met Alfred while working in a country house. She was welcomed into the Bellamy home and lived there via his sister Patricia who was good friends with her. Alfred then became good friends with Phyllis, then their relationship blossomed from there."
Alfred's will, written in 1943, has thrown up a lead in the form of two soldiers who signed it as witnesses – V.G. Hurry and William Ruddle, who were both Privates in Alfred's unit at that time, the 5th Battalion of the Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry.
"I believe V.G. Hurry transferred to the York & Lancs Regiment in June 1944. Hurry had also been in the Somerset Light Infantry briefly prior to his time with Ox & Bucks L.I.
"William Ruddle transferred to the Gordon Highlanders in June 1944. I was hoping they possibly may be alive as I cannot find any record of them deceased and want to get in contact with them to find out more about my great-grandfather and his life in the Army."
Sarah-Louise has tried various avenues but so far has drawn a blank. Anyone with any information can contact her at dancingsarah@blueyonder.co.uk.
"I have tried various newspapers, radio and local TV stations around the country via email, and Facebook, and not had any response I'm afraid."
From her researches so far she knows that Alfred Charles John Bellamy was born on September 29, 1921, at Paignton in Devon. Leaving school at 14 he became a plumber's mate, and then joined the Army at 17, serving at first with the Ox & Bucks, and being promoted Corporal in 1943.
He married Phyllis Marjorie West on January 14, 1943, at Paignton. After being transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) on June 24, 1944, he then went to fight in North Western Europe. His baby son, who he never knew, was Allen John Bellamy.
Alfred was buried temporarily in Middelbeers and was then reburied at Bergen-op-Zoom British War Cemetery in the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant, 25 miles north west of Antwerp, in May 1946.
