Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

2699 Private (Pte) Joseph Bellesini, tailor, of Eaglehawk, Victoria. Pte Bellesini enlisted in the 7th Battalion on 14 July 1915 and embarked from Melbourne on HMAT Anchises on 26 August 1915.

Pte Bellesini was mortally wounded in action at Pozieres, France, on 23 July 1916 and died nine months later on 13 March 1917 at Sussex, England, aged 20 years.

He is Commemorated on Marist Brothers' Bendigo College Roll of Honour, RSL Museum, Bendigo and in Eaglehawk Cemetery, Victoria.

Pte Bellesini's two brothers, 2563 Lance Corporal (LCpl) Andrew Bellesini, 22nd Battalion and 562 Pte Harry Bellesini, 7th Battalion, also served with the AIF.

LCpl Andrew Bellesini returned to Australia and was discharged on 16 March 1919. Pte Harry Bellesini died of wounds on 18 September 1915 at the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey.

Source: AWM, adfa

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland 

Died on this date – 13th March…… Private Joseph Bellesini was born in 1896 at Eaglehawk, Victoria. His father died on 21st April, 1897 in Victoria.

On 24th July, 1915 Joseph Bellesini enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) as a 19 year old, single, Tailor from Victoria Street, Eaglehawk, Victoria.
Private Joseph Bellesini embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Anchises (A68) on 26th August, 1915 with the 7th Infantry Battalion, 8th Reinforcements.

[Note: there are discrepancies with the Service Number for Private Joseph Bellesini – the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records his service number as 2699 & as a result that is the number engraved on his CWGC headstone. The Roll of Honour – Australian War Memorial has his service number listed as 2699, however the Embarkation Roll – Australian War Memorial has his service number as 2669 – which is the correct number. His Service Record file, amounting to 82 pages has forms included in it – some with the number 2669 & others with 2699]

He was admitted to Anzac Advance Base at Mudros from Alexandria on 18th November, 1915 & was taken on strength of 7th Battalion at Sarpi Camp, Lemnos on 20th November, 1915 & posted to “D” Company.

Private Bellesini disembarked from Empress of Britain at Alexandria on 7th January, 1916 (after the evacuation of Gallipoli).

On 26th March, 1916 Private Bellesini embarked from Alexandria to join B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) & disembarked at Marseilles, France on 31st March, 1916.

He was left at Anzac Kit Depot at Moussat Camp on 25th April, 1916 & was evacuated on 25th April, 1916 to join his Unit.

Private Joseph Bellesini was wounded in action in France between 22 – 25th July, 1916. He was taken to 1st Field Ambulance on 25th July, 1916 with G.S.W. (gunshot wound/s) to left arm, head & leg then transferred & admitted to 3rd Casualty Clearing Station on 25th July, 1916 with G.S.W. Private Bellesini was admitted to 13th Stationary Hospital at Boulogne, France on 26th July, 1916 with G.S.W. to head & left arm. He was invalided to England on Hospital Ship St. Dennis from Boulogne, France on 20th August, 1916.

He was admitted to Kitchener War Hospital (No. 3 Australian General Hospital), Brighton, Sussex, England on 21st August, 1916 with G.S.W. to left temple, left cheek & left leg. His condition was reported as severe.

The next report in the Service Record file for Private Joseph Bellesini is for 19th October, 1916 - left leg amputated & his condition was dangerously ill.
A Medical Report was completed on 3rd January, 1917 on Private Joseph Bellesinin while a patient at 3rd Australian General Hospital, Brighton, England. His disability was listed as Gunshot wounds – left temple – Cerebral hernia & left knee joint – amputation left thigh. The injuries had occurred on 25th July, 1916 at Pozieres, France. The Medical Officer in charge of the case recommended that Private Joseph Bellesini be discharged as permanently unfit for General Service & also Home Service with the Australian Imperial Force. This was upheld by the Medical Board.

A Memo from O.C., Kitchener Military Hospital (No. 3 A.G.H), Brighton, England, dated 5th January, 1917, to D.M.S., A.I.F. Headquarters reads “No. 2699 Pte Bellesini J. 7th A.I.F. – forwarded herewith Medical Board Proceedings in duplicate on the above named man, please. He is in this Hospital waiting embarkation to Australia.”

A reply was sent back to O.C., Kitchener Military Hospital (No. 3 A.G.H), Brighton on 13th January, 1917 from Surgeon-General, D.M.S., A.I.F., which reads “With reference to your 3/3/1 of the 6th instant enclosing Board Proceedings in respect of the above named man it is noted he has had an amputation of the left thigh. Arrangements will be made for his artificial limb to be fitted in England, and when he is fit to travel as a sitting case, please arrange for his transfer to Southall….”

A reply was sent to D.M.S. Headquarters from O.C., Kitchener Military Hospital (No. 3 A.G.H), Brighton on 17th January, 1917 stating “… the above named patient is dangerously ill and owing to his head condition and his anxiety to return I would suggest that arrangements be made for his return to Australia at the earliest possible date.”

A reply was sent to O.C., Kitchener Military Hospital (No. 3 A.G.H), Brighton on 29th January, 1917 from Surgeon General, D.M.S., A.I.F., which reads “… I am directed to inform you that the D.M.S. approves of the return of this man to Australia without waiting for an artificial limb to be fitted in England. His name will be included on the Roll of the next Hospital Ship.”

Private Joseph Bellesini died at 4.45 pm on 13th March, 1917 at Kitchener Hospital (No. 3 Australian General Hospital), Brighton, Sussex, England from wounds received in action in France – G.S.W. Temple, Left Cheek & Amputated Left Leg.

He was buried on 16th March, 1917 in Brighton City (Bear Road) Cemetery, East Sussex, England where 28 other WW1 Australian War Graves are located.
(Note: At the time of researching this soldier in 2020 – it was found that his headstone was engraved incorrectly with “I. Bellesini”. The CWGC were advised & the old headstone has now been replaced.)

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/bear-road.html