Lot 3641

Description

Memorial Plaque WWI, named to Burt Bellinger. Some areas of light oxidation, otherwise fine.

Burt Bellinger, labourer, age 19, born at Murrurundi, NSW; Enl.24Sep1914 at Sydney, NSW as a Trooper in 6LHR; Emb.21Dec1914; WIA 18Jun1915, GSW chest and DOW at 1 Aust Casualty Clearing Station, Gallipoli; Buried at Beach Cemetery, Anzac Cove, Gallipoli.

It is noted on Burt Bellinger's Attestation Papers that any medals were to be forwarded, not to his father who deserted his wife and three children in 1898 including Trooper Bellinger when he was only a baby, but to his step-father, Sergeant Charles John Harrison at No.1 Police Station, Clarence St, Sydney who also served in WWI as a Quartermaster-Sergeant with 1st Aust Field Amb. Sergeant Harrison stated in a letter to AIF Base Records that in 1898 when his wife was deserted by her first husband that Burt Bellinger was only a few weeks old. He also stated that his wife was very upset when she found out that Burt had enlisted because she had forbidden him from enlisting because he was only 16 years old at the time, however on his Attestation Papers he falsely stated his age as 19.