Captain Edward Donald Bellew
Individual attestation record images are not available for this person.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
MILITARY INFORMATION
- 1918-12-10 to 1919-04-13
- Captain, 7th Battalion, Infantry (Army). 1916-01-12 to 1918-12-10
- Lieutenant, 7th Battalion, Infantry (Army). 1914-09-23 to 1916-01-12
Gas poisoning and captured at 2nd Ypres, 24 April 1915.
Reported missing [1915-04-29]
Previously missing, now reported as POW at Bischofswerda [1915-06-02]
Transferred as POW to Crefeld [1917-04-27]
Transferred as POW to Schwarmstedt [1917-06-29]
Transferred as POW to Holzminden [1917-10-16]
Transferred as POW to Freiburg, [1917-12-13]
Transferred as POW to Heidelberg [1918-01-02]
Previously POW, now interned in Switzerland [1917-12-27]
Previously interned, now arrived for repatriation in England and admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital, London [1918-12-10]
Victoria Cross For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty near Keerselaere on 24th April, 1915, during the German attack on the Ypres salient. Capt. (ten Lieut.) Bellew, as Battalion Machine Gun Officer, had two guns in action on the high ground overlooking Keerselaere. The enemy’s attack broke in full force on the morning of the 24th against the front and right flank of the Battalion--the latter being exposed owing to a gap in the line. The right Company was soon put out of action, but the action was temporarily stayed by Capt. Bellew, who had sited his guns on the right of the left Company. Reinforcements were sent forward but they, in turn, were surrounded and destroyed. With the enemy in strength less than 100 yards from him, with no further assistance in sight, and with his rear threatened, Capt. Bellew and Serjt. Peerless, each operating a gun, decided to stay where they were and fight it out. Serjt. Peerless was killed and Capt. Bellew was wounded and fell. Nevertheless, he got up and maintained his fire until ammunition failed, and the enemy rushed the position. Capt. Bellew then seized a rifle, smashed his machine gun, and fighting to the last, was taken prisoner.
Description:
Date of award: 1919-05-13
Date of award: 1915-04-24
Source: London Gazette No. 31340, dated May 13, 1919, pgs 6083 and 6084
Comment: On 24 April 1915 near Kerselaere, Belgium, the advance of the enemy was temporarily stayed by Lieutenant Bellew, the battalion machine-gun officer, who had two guns in action on high ground when the enemy's attack broke in full force. Reinforcements which were sent forward having been destroyed, and with the enemy less than 100 yards away and no further assistance in sight, Lieutenant Bellew and a sergeant decided to fight it out. The sergeant was killed and Lieutenant Bellew wounded, nevertheless, he maintained his fire until his ammunition failed, when he seized a rifle, smashed his machine-gun and, fighting to the last, was taken prisoner.
RESEARCH INFORMATION
Previous service-18th Royal Irish Regiment.
A notice indicating that a parcel supplied through the Post Office, Vancouver, Red Cross, was acknowledged as received by this Officer appeared in the Vancouver Daily Sun on 16 December 1917.
Son of Bellew and Bellew; husband of Charlotte Muriel Bellew (nee Rees)
7th Battalion Nominal Roll