John Meredith Bellman
John Bellman | |
|---|---|
| Born | John Meredith Bellman 27 May 1920[1] |
| Died | 1998 |
| Awards | Military Cross with bar |
| Education | |
Brigadier John Meredith Bellman MC (1920–1998) was a British Army officer, known as "the Happy Brigadier".[2] He was twice awarded the Military Cross during World War II.[1] A career soldier, he rose to the rank of Brigadier and ended his career as aide-de-camp to Queen Elizabeth II.
Early life
[edit]Bellman was born on 27 May 1920 in Newport, Pembrokeshire.[1] He was the eldest son[3] of Colonel John Francis Bellman MC[4] and Elsie Bellman (née Hoskins). He was educated at Wellington College and Royal Military Academy, Woolwich.[2]
Career
[edit]
Bellman was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery in July 1939.[5][1][2]
He served in the 4th Field Regiment in 1942, seeing action in Egypt at the First and Second Battle of El Alamein,[2] Palestine, Iraq, India and Burma.[1] In July 1944, Bellman, temporary captain at the time, was awarded the Military Cross[6] for gallantry under fire during the Battle of the Western Tunnels during the Arakan campaign.[1] On 11 August 1942, he was promoted to captain. Then in August, he was awarded the Military Cross again[7][8] for actions at Nunshigam.[2][1][9]
After the war, Bellman served on the staff in South East Asia Command, in Germany, and in Cyprus.[1] He helped to set up the Berlin Air Lift.[2] In 1950, he was serving as an adjutant with the 59th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment.[4] In July 1952, Bellman was promoted to Major.[10]
He attended the Staff College, Camberley in 1952. He was then posted to 3 Royal Horse Artillery in Homs. He was posted to the War Office in 1956 and then Cyprus.[2]
In 1961, Bellman was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel[11] and also appointed the commanding officer of 37th Guided Missile Regiment[1] at Piddlehinton, where he commanded "32 officers and 260 [enlisted] men."[12] In 1962, he made national news for abolishing bull polishing in his command, stating that "there is no room for bull in the modern army".[13]
In 1964, Bellman was assigned to the War Office.[14] In 1965, he was promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel.[15]
In 1967, he was promoted to Brigadier, commanding 7th Artillery Brigade.[16] In 1969, he was Garrison Commander at Dortmund.[17] In 1972, he was appointed Commander, Royal Artillery at HQUK Land Forces.[2]
In 1973, he was appointed aide-de-camp to Queen Elizabeth II.[1] He retired in 1975.[18][19]
Retirement
[edit]After retirement, he served on Wiltshire County Council, raised funds for cancer research and assisted the British Heart Foundation. He also enjoyed playing golf, sailing and shooting.[2]
Personal life
[edit]In 1946, he married Pamela Rogerson in Leeds.[1][20]
Bellman died in 1998.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Obituaries: Brigadier John Bellman". The Daily Telegraph. Apr 9, 1998. p. 31. Retrieved 13 June 2026 – via newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Brigadier John Meredith Bellman MC". DEKHO! The Journal of The Burma Star Association (126): 10. Summer 1998.
- ↑ "Officer's Bar to M. C.". Western Mail. Sep 21, 1944. p. 3. Retrieved 13 June 2026 – via newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Service Notes by Crown and Star". Leicester Evening Mail. Nov 9, 1950. p. 4. Retrieved 13 June 2026 – via newspapers.com.
closing hours of the military career of Col. J. F. Bellman, Regimental Paymaster, Leicester... his eldest son, Capt. J. M. Bellman, is adjutant of 59 HAA Regt at Pontefract. Capt. Bellman went one better than his father–he was awarded a bar to his MC.
- ↑ "The following Gentleman Cadets from the Royal Military Academy to be 2nd Lts". Yorkshire Post. 5 July 1939.
- ↑ "Awards to Swansea and W. Wales Men". South Wales Evening Post. 28 July 1944. p. 4. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ "Bar to the Military Cross". Somerset County Herald. Taunton, Somerset, England: Taunton Courier and Western Ad. 9 September 1944. p. 8. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ "Bar to the Military Cross". Western Gazette. 8 September 1944. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ "Officer's Courage Inspired Men". Western Mail. Nov 9, 1944. p. 3. Retrieved 13 June 2026 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ "The War Office: Regular Army appointments". The London Gazette (39588): 3629. 1 July 1952.
- ↑ "Royal Regiment of Artillery: Regular Army". London Gazette (42520): 8513. 21 November 1961.
Maj. J. M. BELLMAN, M.C. (95118), to be Lt.-Col., 10th Sept. 1961, with seniority 24th Mar. 1961.
- ↑ "The Men and Missiles of Piddlehinton Camp". Dorset Evening Eco. 25 Nov 1961. Retrieved 13 June 2026 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Wives Go to War to Stop Army Bull". Daily Mirror. 25 October 1962.
- ↑ "Missile Men on the Move". Dorset Evening Echo. May 1, 1964. p. 8. Retrieved 13 June 2026 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Ministry of Defence: Regular Army". London Gazette (43911): 2309. 25 February 1966.
Lt.-Col. J. M. BELLMAN, M.C. (95118), from R.A., to be Col., 23rd Dec. 1965, with seniority 25th July 1965.
- ↑ "Promotions: Regular Army" (PDF). The Gazette (44493). London: 74. 2 Jan 1968. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ "Civic Visitors Saw all but Glasshouse". Lincolnshire Echo. 6 March 1969. p. 6. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
- ↑ "Army Departments (movements)". The London Gazette (46582): 6830. 23 May 1975.
Brig. John Meredith BELLMAN, M.C., late R.A. relinquishes the appointment of Aide-de-Camp to The QUEEN, 27th May 1975, on retirement.
- ↑ "Commands and Staff". London Gazette (46582): 6830. 23 May 1975.
Brig. J. M. BELLMAN, M.C. (95118) late R.A. retires on retired pay, 27th May 1975.
- ↑ "Marriages: Bellman–Rogerson". Daily Telegraph & Morning Post. London. Jul 24, 1946. p. 6. Retrieved 13 June 2026 – via newspapers.com.