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‘A credit to Australia’

Gerald was born to Anne and Arthur Herbert (Herb) Bellinger on the 30th June 1915 at Narracoorte and grew up in Millicent. He was 13 when his paternal grandfather, also named Arthur, died. Arthur had been one of the first settlers in Millicent, having come from Tasmania and was familiar with the area before Millicent was surveyed as a township, subsequently being involved in the move to have the township site surveyed and being one of the earliest purchasers of a block. Arthur Snr had also built the Kintore Inn at Furner, running a hotel business for many years as well as being actively involved in railway extensions, South-Eastern harbor facilities, and drainage schemes. Gerald’s father was one of twelve children, being the second of eight sons. The strongly Catholic family were regular attendees of the local St. Alphonsus' Catholic Church.

Gerald had just turned 9 when his 13-month-old baby sister, Imelda died in the local Thyne Memorial Hospital in 1924. It was a severe blow to the family. Gerald and his siblings attended the local Millicent Convent School, St Joseph’s which prided itself that "We always try to instil into our pupils a love of truth, and the necessity of straightforward and honest dealing on all occasions, so that when their school days come to an end, they will be good citizens, a credit to Australia, their own native land.’ This was to be particularly true of Gerald in the future. Each year Gerald proved to be a highly capable student, being Dux of his year level and gaining awards for different categories including Diligent Work, Punctuality, Christian Doctrine, Junior, Elementary and then Intermediate Bookkeeping, Junior Typewriting, Highest Marks in Qualifying Examination. His sister Patricia was similarly academic and conscientious with her studies. Gerald also enjoyed socialising, including for the Millicent Church of England Debutant Ball in ’39, a huge event in those times. Over 350 people, representative of Naracoorte, Lucindale, Mount Gambier, and nearer centres attended the Institute Hall which was decorated to represent a winter scene. Gerald partnered Roma Chester, with each Deb having her dress described in detail in the local paper.

With the outbreak of WWII, aged 25, Gerald was one of a group of local young men who enlisted together on the 13th July ’40. He was allocated the number SX8878 with fellow football player, Arthur Bonshor from Millicent being SX8877. They were two of a group of many local young men who had headed to Adelaide to undergo medicals and await their call to go into camp. Gerald’s initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before he and other new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training.
Just prior to Christmas, Gerald was home on a week’s pre-embarkation leave. In typical country fashion, a social was organised at the local Institute Hall for a valedictory and reception celebration. The men honoured included a number who enlisted with Gerald including several also being in the 2/48th Battalion, including brothers Malcolm and James Sutherland (SX8882 and SX8881 respectively), Peter McArthur SX8879, Reg Seebohm SX8177 and Arthur Bonshor SX8877. The Hall was at capacity and was the largest gathering of relatives and friends held at Millicent since the war began. The South Eastern Times reported that ‘The guests entered the hall between a guard of honor formed by members of the returned soldiers' volunteer defence corps, while over 300 residents of the town and district stood to receive them.’

In an eulogistic speech the chairman declared that the young men ‘would make the Italians run faster and would give Hitler all he was looking for. The British Empire could not be beaten. Victory was in sight, and their airmen would soon be dropping two bombs for Hitler's one. Their guests that night were "fighting fit," and were a credit to Millicent and to the country they would represent overseas. The news of the retreat of the "Dagoes" was very heartening, but victory over them would not win the war. Britain was fighting practically alone for the preservation of democracy, and her peril was such that a 100 per cent, war effort was necessary to pull her through. Australia would have to do much more than was being done at present. Sixty thousand tons of British shipping had been sunk every week since the war began, all loaded with foodstuffs and supplies for Britain and her armies. If that were not stopped, God help Australia and the democracies. Their guests would help to stop it.’ Additional comments were made that ‘the men of the second A.I.F. would carry the torch high, and not allow it to be extinguished by Hitler. They would crush the false gods of Hitlerism and his demons of lust, and cruelty, and avarice. The experiences of countries overpowered by the Nazi hordes showed clearly that the issue for Australia was victory or slavery. The guests were descendants of a hardy, adventurous race, who came out in leaking sailing ships and wrested prosperity from a wilderness. They had the same grit and courage and would fight Hitler to the last ditch. When, in due course, they returned to Australia, they would find here a strong organisation of men of the old A.I.F. who would stand, by them through thick and thin.’ It was a stirring evening of speeches.
The Country Women’s’ Association presented the young men with a parcel of comforts, while the Millicent Council presented them with pocket wallets. Malcolm Sutherland, on behalf of the men, made a speech in thanks to the community for their support.

Following pre-embarkation leave Gerald and his fellow 2/48th Battalion, headed overseas for the Middle East, in February 1941 and disembarked on the 23rd March. Their 2/48th Battalion completed a few months training at Amiriya. Henry Kennedy SX7784 also of the 2/48th Battalion, wrote home with his letter published in the January ‘42 edition of the Border Watch. He had been at a training battalion, waiting to return to the 2/48th when he met up with many of his old friends from Mt Gambier. They included Angus ‘Angry’ Underwood SX6789, Hedley Buchanan SX7066 and Gerald, all from the 2/48th Battalion.

That year was to be a challenging one for the 2/48th. Orders had been received to capture West Point of Tel el Eisa in a dawn attack. In late June ‘42 with Rommel crossing into Egypt, the 2/48th were in an offensive to capture Trig 33, which was achieved on the 10th July. In doing so, over 400 Italian prisoners were taken. The 2/48th battalion then advanced south, capturing the Tel el Eisa station and repelling numerous counter attacks. However, they were eventually forced to withdraw, having suffered over 100 casualties. It was during this attack that Private Stan Gurney was awarded the 2/48th Battalion’s first VC having captured two machine gun posts and bayonetting the gun crew firing on his company but was killed attempting to take a third. The 2/48th battalion suffered 215 casualties between the 7th July and 23rd October. Of that number, 64 men were killed and six, died of their wounds. 125 other men were wounded but survived.

In July the battalion was attempting to capture West Point in a dawn attack. In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John G. Glenn described the ferocious encounter: ‘When the troops were well forward of the start-line they came under terrific fire from shells and mortars from the front and left, and suffered heavy casualties. With the slow deliberate movement of perfectly trained soldiers both companies continued the advance in perfect formation, over ground that trembled and erupted with vicious explosions. Through this, sometimes obscured by the smoke and dust, the men moved, and, as they advanced, the fire kept place with them, leaving behind the still shapes of fallen men among the camel bush and sand.’

Back home, the South Eastern Times and Border Watch both in August ’42 reported that ‘Mr and Mrs A. H. Bellinger, of Millicent, have received official information that 'their son, Private Gerald William Bellinger, has been wounded in action. He is serving with the A.I.F. in Egypt, and enlisted from Millicent.’ This was followed by an official list in the Advertiser of those killed or wounded. Gerald was listed in the latter group of 34 published names along with Cecil Clark SX7725 from Langhorne Creek and Cyril Fleet SX8132 from Mt Barker, both in the 2/48th Battalion.
By February ’44, the South Eastern Times had more joyful news. ‘Many members of the A.I.F. serving in battle areas have advised their relatives that they are coming home on leave. Amongst those who have already arrived at Millicent are Sergeant A. Bonshor, Privates Malcolm Sutherland and Gerald Bellinger.’ All three had enlisted together, been farewelled together and served in the 2/48th together.

By October ‘45, Gerald left Tarakan, heading back to Australia via Queensland, before finally being discharged on the 19th November that year. He had served for five years. A huge Welcome Home celebration of over 250 people was organised for the twenty service personnel at the Millicent Institute Hall just prior to Christmas. Music, singing, skits and speeches ensued. Mention was made of the people at home helped by keeping those fighting in the theatres of war, supplied with munitions and personal comforts. An additional sense of pride was that Millicent had received nine war loan pennants. A warm tribute was also paid to the Australian Red Cross and the Comforts Fund Organisations including the Country Women's Association. One of the glad days in the lives of servicemen was when such comforts as tobacco, soap, tooth paste, Christmas puddings, and the like arrived.

By January ’46 Celebrations were well underway with St. Alphonsus' Church, organising a Welcome Home celebration for all branches of the Forces. Gerald was one of fourteen men who were guests of honour. Speeches and a variety program was followed by the singing of "They are Jolly good Fellows," dancing, supper and finally the singing of "God save the King."
Peace brought with it many weddings. Cleve Windebank, who had served as Sergeant SX8850 in the 2/48th with Gerald, married in January ’48 and chose Gerald as his best man. War was not always conducive to the longevity of engagements but by November ’48 Gerald and 20-year-old Valmai Margaret Smith, from The Ivy, Echunga had announced their engagement. Valmai’s popularity was evident in the gift evening her friends organised, with games, items and speeches from the President of Valmai’s Echunga tennis club with the desire that the many useful gifts would serve to remind her of the friends whose best wishes would follow her into her new sphere of life. They married in July the following year in the St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral, followed by a reception at the Clarendon in Rundle street, then celebrated Valmai’s 21st birthday the following day.

Back home and enjoying peace living at Narracoorte with time spent with his family, Gerald’s father Bert died unexpectedly on the 26th July 1950. He was 68 years old. Gerald and Val’s first son was born just two days previously. Subsequent sons were born in April ’52 and May ’53.Gerald’s mother, Annie died on the 27th December ’75 and was buried in the Millicent Cemetery with Bert and their infant daughter. Gerald died just prior to his 86th birthday on the 24th May 2001.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion