Albert's Story.
Birkenhead News 02 September 1916New Ferry Hero Killed.
Decorated with Military Medal on Eve of His Death.
Mrs. Bellis. Of 3, Elmbank Road, New Ferry, has received the official intimation of the death in action of her son, Bombardier Albert Bellis. The young man who was attached to the Royal Field Artillery, was killed on the 17th July after being decorated with the Military Medal only two days before. Bombardier Bellis lifted back into a howitzer a 60lb shell which had misfired, thereby endangering his own life and saving no less than 47 officers and men who were near at the time the incident occurred. Major S- of the regiment, in a letter to the Mayor of Bolton, spoke of the cool bravery of the young hero, who was only 22 years of age. He wrote in the highest terms of the deceased soldier. It appears that Bombardier Bellis went out with a trench mortar party, and a shell burst among them, killing every one of them. Before joining the colours the deceased soldier was employed at the firm of Dempster’s of Bolton. He was educated at Lower Bebington School, and was an enthusiastic member of St. Mark’s Sunday School. A particularly pathetic feature of the case is that Bombardier Bellis was to have been married shortly. Every sympathy is extended to his parents and his fiancée in their sad bereavement.