Pte 17285 Ernest Clifton Bellwood

• Age: 23
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• D.O.W Saturday 14th October 1916
• Commemorated at: Heilly Station Cem, Mericourt
  Panel Ref: III.C.29

Ernest Clifton Bellwood was born on the 23rd March, 1893 in Everton, Liverpool the son of Rowland Bellwood and his wife Mary Helen (née Clifton) who were married on the 20th August 1888 at St Mary the Virgin Church, West Derby. Rowland was a joiner of West Derby, his father, Rowland, was an accountant, whilst, Mary, was also of West Derby, her father, George, was a clerk. Ernest was baptised on the 07th June, 1893 at St Peter’s Church of England, Liverpool, his father a joiner of Sutton Street. 

Prior to Ernest's birth, the 1891 census shows that there were two elder brothers Francis Albert (died age 6) and Alfred Horace (died age 1), it also states that both parents were deaf and dumb. The family were then living at Marlborough Road, Liverpool.

On 1901 census Ernest is aged 8 and living with his parents and sister Blanche aged 3 at 51 Bala St, Walton. His father Rowland is aged 50, a joiner born in Liverpool in 1851, whilst his mother is 41 born in Bedford in 1860.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 46 Woodville Terrace, Everton, Liverpool. Both parents are present in the household, they have two children, both born in Liverpool, Ernest Clifton who is aged 18, born 1893 occupation junior clerk, carpet warehouse and his sister Blanche aged 13, born 1898. His parents state that they have been married for 23 years and have had four children, two of whom had sadly died.  

Before joining the colours he was employed at the Pioneer Furnishing Stores, on Bold Street, Liverpool. 

Ernest enlisted on the 02nd September 1914 at St George's Hall in Liverpool joining the 19th Battalion, of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 17285. He was aged 21 years and 152 days. He gave his occupation as a Clerk. He was described as being 5 feet 5 and half inches tall, weighed 116lbs, with a 34” chest, and was of fresh complexion, had grey eyes, brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England and as his next of kin, was his father Rowland, of 46 Woodville Terrace. 

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

Whilst at Knowsley on the 23rd February 1915 he was confined to Barracks for seven days for hesitating to obey an order.

Ernest died of wounds on the 14th October 1916, aged 23, during the Battle of the Transloy Ridges which was part of the ongoing Somme Offensive. He had been wounded on the 13th October 1916 with a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was admitted to 15 C.M.D.S. (Corps Main Dressing Station) and 38 Casualty Clearing Station where he died. 

He now rests at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt, France, where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“FOR US HE SACRIFICED, GOD GRANT HIM ETERNAL REST”

The 36th Casualty Clearing Station was at Heilly from April 1916. It was joined in May by the 38th, and in July by the 2/2nd London, but these hospitals had all moved on by early June 1917. The cemetery was begun in May 1916 and was used by the three medical units until April 1917. From March to May 1918, it was used by Australian units, and in the early autumn for further hospital burials when the 20th Casualty Clearing Station was there briefly in August and September 1918. The last burial was made in May 1919. There are now 2,890 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. Only 12 of the burials are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 21 casualties whose graves in the cemetery could not be exactly located. The cemetery also contains 83 German graves. The burials in this cemetery were carried out under extreme pressure and many of the graves are either too close together to be marked individually, or they contain multiple burials. Some headstones carry as many as three sets of casualty details, and in these cases, regimental badges have had to be omitted. Instead, these badges, 117 in all, have been carved on a cloister wall on the north side of the cemetery. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to mother Mary Helen

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on the 18th May 1917;

Private Ernest Bellwood (24), K.L.R., has died of wounds received in action in France whilst saving a wounded officer. He was the only son of Mr and Mrs Bellwood of 46 Woodville Terrace, Liverpool. Before joining the colours he was employed at the Pioneer Furnishing Stores, Bold Street.

His death was also reported in the Liverpool Echo on the 14th October 1918;

In ever loving memory of Private ERNEST BELLWOOD, who died of wounds October 14, 1916. (A good life nobly ended). - Greatly missed by his Mother, Father and Sister, 46 Woodville Terrace.

Also in the Liverpool Echo on Monday 15th October 1917; 

BELLWOOD - In loving memory of Private E. C. Bellwood (K.L.R.) (Our Ernie"), who died of wounds October 14, 1916. 

He is gone, oh, how we miss him! 

None but bleeding hearts can tell.  

Earth has lost him, heaven has gained him. 

Jesus has done all things well. 

(Sadly missed by Mother, Father, and Blanche.) 

CWGC records show Ernest as the husband of Mary Helen Bellwood, of 46, Woodville Terrace, Everton, Liverpool. This is incorrect as Mary Helen Bellwood was his mother.

He earned his three medals. 

Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £3 18s 9d, War Gratuity of £9 and a Pension of 12/- pw went to mother Mary Helen.

On the 1921 Census at Woodville Terrace, his father, Rowland, is aged 50, a warehouse joiner, his mother, Mary, is aged 61, with Blanche aged 23.  

His father died, aged 76, in 1927, and his mother, aged 73, in 1933. 

Ernest is also commemorated on the following War Memorials;

West Derby Civic Memorial

St Andrew’s C. of E. Church, Clubmoor

 St Mary the Virgin C. of E. Church, West Derby.

We currently have no further information on Ernest Clifton Bellwood, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.