BELFORD, Eldred James
| Service Number: | 3255 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 July 1915, Liverpool, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 1st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Hamilton, New South Wales, Australia, 22 August 1894 |
| Home Town: | Newcastle, Hunter Region, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Toronto Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Locomotive engine cleaner |
| Died: | Died of wounds, Rouen, France, 19 June 1916, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension, France Plot 11, Row U, Grave 8 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Hamilton Loco Employees Great War Honour Roll, Haymarket NSW Government Railway and Tramway Honour Board, Newcastle (Gardner Memorial) War Memorial, Newcastle Congregational Church, Newcastle Surf Club Life Saving Brigade Honor Roll, Toronto Public School Pupils HB |
World War 1 Service
| 13 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3255, Liverpool, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Oct 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3255, 1st Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Themistocles embarkation_ship_number: A32 public_note: '' | |
| 5 Oct 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3255, 1st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Themistocles, Sydney | |
| 6 Apr 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1st Infantry Battalion | |
| 18 Jun 1916: | Wounded Lance Corporal, 3255, 1st Infantry Battalion, GSW (bowel, buttock, abdomen) | |
| 19 Jun 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 3255, 1st Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3255 awm_unit: 1 Battalion awm_rank: Lance Corporal awm_died_date: 1916-06-19 | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement 1st Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières |
Great Sydney Central Statiion Honour Board
Eldred James Stanhope BELFORD was born at Hamilton in Newcastle, NSW, on 22 August 1894. His family lived near Fassifern and he went to Toronto Public School. On 11 November 1913 he joined the NSWGR&T as a cleaner (permanent) in the Locomotive Branch, at Narrabri West, and on 16 May 1914 he transferred to Hamilton. On 13 July 1915 he was released to join the AIF.
He enlisted in the AIF at the rank of Private (Service Number 3255) and was assigned to the 11th Reinforcements to the 1st Infantry Battalion. In his Attestation Paper, he nominated his father, Mr James Belford, as his next of kin, and he stated he had had three years Militia experience.
He embarked aboard HMAT A32 ‘Themistocles’ for Egypt in Sydney on 5 October 1915. After reaching Egypt he was taken on strength of the 1st Infantry Battalion on 6 January 1916. On 22 March 1916 he embarked at Alexandria for France, disembarking at Marseilles on 28 March 1916. On 6 April 1916 he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. On 18 June 1916 he was wounded in action and late the following day, 19 June 1916, he died of his wounds.
His grave is in Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension, Estaires, Nord Pas de Calais, France.
(NAA B2455-3070793)
Submitted 11 May 2023 by John Oakes
Biography contributed by Evan Evans
Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
Awaiting memorialisation at Sandgate Cemetery.
104 years ago today, on the 19th June 1916, Lance Corporal Eldred James Stanhope Belford, 1st Battalion, engine cleaner and assisting fireman (NSW Government Railways & Tramways.), of Lorne, via Fassifern, New South Wales, died of wounds at 11.45 P.M., age 21 years 9 months.
https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1651401/
https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1503668/
Born at Hamilton, New South Wales on the 22nd August 1894 to James John (died 1934) and Priscilla (died 1939) Belford of Fassifern, New South Wales and 93 Anzac Parade, Kensington, N.S.W., Jack enlisted July 1915 at Liverpool, N.S.W.
Wounded in action at Fleurbaix on the 18th June 1916 (severe bomb wound to abdomen).
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133880399
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133881010
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133839705
Mr Belford is resting at Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension, France. Plot II Row U Grave 8.
His name has been inscribed on the Newcastle Surf Club & Life-Saving Brigade Honor Roll, Tighes Hill Public School Honor Roll, Hamilton Loco Employees Honour Roll, Gardner Memorial, Toronto Soldiers' Memorial, Toronto Public School Roll of Honour, Toronto Red Cross Honour Roll, Blackalls (Park) Roll of Honour, Newcastle Central Methodist Mission Roll of Honour, Book of Gold and the N.S.W. Govt Railways and Tramways Roll of Honour, 1914-1919.
The Lance Corporal Eldred J Belford Memorial (photo) was unveiled on the 12th November 1916 at the Toronto Methodist Church, presently on display at the Lake Macquarie & District Historical Society Inc., The Heritage Centre, Old Toronto Railway Station, Victory Pde, Toronto, N.S.W.
There is no headstone at the grave of Jack’s parents at Sandgate Cemetery, so I have placed a memorial cross on the gravesite, taken a photo of the memorialised grave and uploaded the photo onto the Northern Cemetery website as a permanent record of his service. METHODIST 1 (WESLEYAN) C NE. 32.
http://sandgate.northerncemeteries.com.au/index.php/war-heroes/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&aso=exact&s_f=id&data_search=3926#photo-1
Younger brother Keith Alexander enlisted 1st A.I.F., rejected as he was under-age.
Lest We Forget.
Biography
Son of James John and Priscilla Belford, of Fassifern, New South Wales. Brother of Miss M. Belford
"3255 Lance Corporal Eldred James Belford, a cleaner for the NSW Government Railway, of Toronto, New South Wales. He enlisted in the 1st Battalion on 13 July 1915 and embarked from Sydney on HMAT Themistocles on 5 October 1915 for Alexandria, Egypt. The battalion then sailed for Marseilles, France, en route to the Western Front on 28 March 1916 where Private Belford was promoted to LCpl on 6 April 1916. LCpl Belford was wounded in action near Fromelles, France, on 18 June 1916 and died the following day in No 1 Casualty Clearing Station, Rouen. He was aged 21 years." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)
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