KENNETH EDWARD BELLINGHAM

Lieutenant 210452

Kenneth Edward Bellingham was born in 1922, the only son of James Ernest and Florence Violet Hilda Bellingham.� At some time between the World Wars the Bellingham family came to Plymouth from Bear Island, Bantry Bay in Ireland, where both Ken�s father Jimmy and his uncle Jack were coastguards.� Postings with the Royal Navy brought them to Plymouth.� During the early 1930s Jimmy and Vi moved to Sunnyside (now Cam Cottage) in Yealm Road.� Jack and his sisters Carrie and Alice moved into Penns Cottage in Court Road.

Ken Bellingham attended Plymouth College, where he was noted for his athletic prowess.� At some time he joined up during World War 2, and was commissioned into the Royal Artillery.� On D Day, 6 June 1944, he was serving with 33 Field Regiment, RA equipped with self-propelled 105mm guns.� The regiment was part of 3^rd Division, the assault division at Sword Beach, providing supporting fire initially from their landing craft and then moving ashore to be in action all day.� They helped to defeat the German counter-attack.

Ken Bellingham, aged 22, was killed in action during these engagements, and is remembered with honour at Hermanville War Cemetery (Plot 1.J.5).� He is further commemorated by the Bellingham Chair in the Lady Chapel in Holy Cross Church.� A Bellingham Cup in his memory is competed for annually at the River Yealm Regatta.

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