| Surname: | Bellis |
| Initials: | F E |
| Rank: | Private |
| Army Number: | 4124773 |
| Notes: | CMP. VP. Enlisted in the Cheshire Regiment, transferred to CMP. 5/3/46 to discharge. Frank Ernest Bellis. Extract from the Winsford Chronicle 26/2/1944. Northwich Soldiers Meet In Italy. Pte. F E Bellis and Rifleman F Clarke. "The Chronicle" has received a letter from Pte Frank E Bellis, 16 Gladstone Street saying he has had an unexpected meeting in Italy with an old school pal, Rifleman Fred Clarke, 16, Church Road, Barnton. Pte. Bellis writes: "I was waling down an Italian street to-day my mind somewhere in Northwich when I passed a soldier whose face was so familiar that I was merely passing by with a ford of greeting as in the old days when I suddenly came to earth and realised that this was Italy and that is was nearly five years since I last saw Fred Clarke the owner of the face, Fred and I went to Wilton Boys School together and since then he has made a name as a footballer around Northwich. He has had three years service, two of which have been spent abroad. Previously he worked for ICI (Alkeli) Ltd, Wisnington. You can imagine how thrilled and pleased we were to meet. We had a long and interesting chat about old places and old faces." Pte Bellis joined u with the Territorials and during his ten months abroad has seen service in North Africa and Sicily. In North Africa he met Alf Dawson, Whalley Road, Alf White, ex Whitton Albion player, and L/Cpl Billy Chambers, Ex Northwich player. In his present company in Italy are George Barnes (Lockstock Club) and L/Cpl bill Warburton, Ex policeman of Northwich and Winsford. |