Category: Military
Rank: Able Seaman Signalman
Regiment or Ship: Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Service Number(s): 5/220
Occupation: Electrician and Plumber
Date of Birth: 14.01.1895
Place of Birth: St. Leonards, Sussex
Date of Death: 03.09.1962
Place of Death: Bexhill Hospital, Bexhill, Sussex
Address: 5 Church Street, Bexhill
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents: Thomas Belchamber (1856- ) and Fanny Belchamber, nee Leach, (1859-1926). In 1911 the family were living at 8 Church Street, Bexhill.
Siblings:
James Belchamber (1887-1966). W0319 BELCHAMBER James
Elsie Belchamber (1892- ).
Tom Belchamber (1893- ).
In 1918 William married Mary L. Jones in Battle and Mary died in 1945. A year later he married Winifred Scate – also in Battle.
When William died he was living at 10 Church Street, Old Town, Bexhill, and he left his estate of £1939-5s-0d to his widow, Winifred.
First World War Experience
Although William’s main Service Records have not survived we do have his initial enlistment form which gives us some interesting information about him.
He enlisted on 8th July 1914 and was listed, on 30th June 1915, as a Qualified Signaller A. B.
He was 5’ 4½” tall, with a fresh complexion, light brown hair and blue eyes. He had a mole on the left side of his chin. His religion was Church of England and he couldn’t swim.