Trafford

Born on the 9th July 1893, birth registered during the September quarter
1893 in the West Derby R.D. - ref: 8b/554, the son of Thomas & Ada Annie
Bellis (nee Oldfield).  Baptised at the Emmanuel Parish Church, Everton,
Liverpool on the 13th September 1893.   His father was recorded as a Police
Constable and resided at 32 Renfrew Street, Liverpool.

1901 Census - No Trace.

1911 Census - 6 Owen Street, Lower Broughton, Salford.     Son - aged: 17 -
occ: Foundry Clerk - born: West Derby, Liverpool.   Head of household -
Thomas Bellis - Married - aged: 40 - occ: Dock Labourer - born: Flintshire.
 Slso - Ada Annie Bellis - Wife - aged: 42 - born: Flintshire.    Plus 2
younger siblings.

NOT COMMEMORATED BY THE CWGC - SDGW - MIC's.

Enrolled into the Royal Marines at Eastney HQ Baracks on the 28th August
1909  as a Band Boy, aged: 14 years, 1 month & 19 days.  He was the son of
Thomas Bellis, 6 Owen Street, Lower Broughton, Manchester.   He was then 5
feet 3 3/4 inches in height, had a Fresh complexion, had light brown hair
and Blue eyes.   Transferred to the Royal Naval School of Music on the 24th
October 1909 until the 25th February 1910.  He was classed as "Under Age"
until the 8th July 1911 when he was discharged as "Service No Longer
Required" with 1 year and 315 days service.    He played the trombone and
double bass.    Register No. 1589.  On discharge his character was
described as 'Good' and his ability as 'Fair'.  His address on discharge
given as 86 Owen Street, Lower Broughton, Manchester.

WO372/2 - Recorded as a Private in the Royal Army Medical Corps

WO97 - On the 24th January 1912, he enlisted into the Cheshire Regiment at
Hyde.  He was aged: 19 years and 9 months and born at West Derby,
Liverpool.   He was now 5 feet 5 7/8th inches in height and weighed 126 lb.
 He had an expanded chest measurement of 36 inches with a 2 inch range.  He
had a 'Fresh' complexion, 'Brown' eyes and 'Red' hair.  He was discharged
on the 31st January 1912.

Richard then enlisted into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Wrexham on the 8th
May 1912.  Despite the threat of two years imprisonment with hard labour,
he answered No to whether he had previously served in the armed services.  
The record states that he was born at Kensington, Liverpool and was aged:
19 years and 9 months.  his trade was given as 'Casual Labourer'.  He new
service number was No. 11016.   He was now 5 feet 6 1/2 inches in height
and weighed 135 lb.  His expanded chest measurement was 37 inches with a 3
inch range.   His complexion recorded as 'Fresh'. his eyes 'Grey' and his
hair 'Auburn'.

Posted as a Private to the 1st Battalion RWFs on the 21st August 1912.  He
was held in the Guard Detention Room from the 26th November until the 15th
December 1912.  He was tried and convicted of losing by default, his
equipment, clothing and necessaries and sentenced to 7 days detention with
loss of 27 days pay and service.

Held in detention from the 16th February until the 28th February 1913. 
Tried and convicted of (1) After having been discharged with disgrace -
enlisting.  (They had obviously found out about his previous military
service).   (2) Losing by neglect clothing.   He was sentenced to 14 days
with hard labour from the 1st May 1913.   He had 45 days pay and service
deducted from his service.   He must then have gone AWOL as he was charged
with being absent, having escaped  from confinement.  He was arrested by
the civil police and they held him for 2 days - 17th and 18th March 1913. 
On his return to barracks he was again held in detention from the 19th to
the 27th March 1913, awaiting trial.

He was also charged with Stealing goods the property of a comrade and
sentenced to six months with Hard Labour and then discharged with Ignominy
under KR 392 (viii) "Having made false answer on attestation".   His
reckonable service was finally 328 days.

Not to be beaten (though by now one would have thought that he would have
decided that perhaps he wasn't suited to military service), he then
enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery and given the service number of
73797.  He enlisted at Preston on the 19th August 1913.  Now aged: 20 years
1 month, he again, under the threat of 2 years imprisonment with hard
labour, stated that he has never served in any of the armed services.  His
physical description has not changed from his last service medical.

He did not last very long.  On the 30th November, he was held in detention
awaiting trial for a 'Felony'.  He was tried and imprisoned for two months
with hard labour on the 8th December 1913 and ordered to be discharged.  He
was convicted by the civil powers of felony on the 29th December 1913.