John (Jack) Robert Belsey

Rank: Sergeant

Regiment: 7th Battalion, Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial Force

Parents: Mr Edward & Mrs Edith Belsey, late of All Saints Street, Hastings

Sent by: Mr C Merryweather, late master of the Hastings Workhouse

Brothers Edward J Belsey, Alfred William Belsey & Robert Harry Belsey

Other Info: Killed at the Dardanelles on 8th August 1915 aged 28 years. Formerly eight years in the Highland Light Infantry.

According to CWGC records, John died on 9th August 1915 aged 26. He is remembered at Johnston’s Jolly Cemetery, grave reference Sp. Mem. 1.

The record states that John is the son of Edward and Maggie Jean Belsey; husband of Josephine Belsey, of 105, Nicholson St., Abbotsford, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Native of Scotland.

John’s AIF service papers can be viewed for free here.

Born Largs, North Ayreshire
1889, Death of mother
1899, Death of father in Union Workhouse, Ore
1901, Gordon’s Boys Home, Dover
1911, Aug 11 Arrived Sydney, NSW having travelled from UK via Calcutta
1914, Married Florence Josephine Marshall in Melbourne
1914, Dec 8 Sergeant, 7th Battalion Australian Imperial Force
1915, Feb 19 Embarked troop transport heading for Gallipoli
1915, Aug 9 Killed in action, Gallipoli

There is a suggestion that John was in a highland Regiment in the British Army prior to leaving for Australia, but I can find no records. However this could explain his instant promotion to Sergeant on enlisting in the AIF.

Additional information with thanks to Ian Mantel

Published: October 1916

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