Major Roland Cecil Bellamy OBE TD DL JP Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers and High Sherrif of Lincolnshire.
Roland Cecil BELLAMY
The Man Roland Cecil Bellamy was born on Saturday 17th May 1902 in Barnoldsby-le-Beck, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, son of William Henry, a Mineral Water Manufacturer and Chairman of Lincolnshire Football Association and Annie Elizabeth nee Champ.
He was one of 10 children, Clement James Victor (22nd November 1880 – 13th January 1946) and Mayor of Oxford 1939-41, Leah Gertrude (18th February 1882 – 15th February 1974), Adlard William (25th May 1883 – 20th May 1970), Florence Maud (3rd March 1886 – 1st May1980), William Henry Bromhead (1889-1890), Charles Henry (18th June 1890), later a Captain in the 10th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment who died of wounds on 23rd July 1916 received on 1st July, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, Reginald Harold born and died in 1892, Beatrice Bromhead (1894-1901) and Gladys May (1st April 1896 – 11th January 1994).
The 1911 census shows Roland living at 448 Cleethorpes Road, Grimsby, together with his family and a servant Maud Lily Forge. He was educated at Rossall School, Lancashire and by 1921 the family had moved to ‘Sorrento’ The Park, Grimsby and following his education Roland became a Motor Engineer and proprietor of Roland C Bellamy Garage, ‘Lincolns Leading Motor Agent’ selling Morris, Wolsey, Humber, Chrysler, MG and SS cars, the latter becoming Jaguar.
In August 1923 Roland appeared before Grimsby Borough Police Court, for ‘Driving a Motor Car in a Manner Dangerous to the Public’, he had overtaken a lorry at about 30mph when pedestrians were in the area, he was found guilty and fine £3.3s and 15s expenses.
On Wednesday 20th April 1927, aged 25 at Welholme Congregational Church, he married Kathleen Alice Beacock at a ceremony performed by Reverend T Pearson Ellis and J W Griffin. He had two best men, King Osmond and Roland Archer. Their reception was in the local Masonic Hall and they honeymooned on a motor tour of Devon. They had three children, Shirley Ann born in 1929, Jennifer M 1931 and Richard Anthony 1939.
He was one of 10 children, Clement James Victor (22nd November 1880 – 13th January 1946) and Mayor of Oxford 1939-41, Leah Gertrude (18th February 1882 – 15th February 1974), Adlard William (25th May 1883 – 20th May 1970), Florence Maud (3rd March 1886 – 1st May1980), William Henry Bromhead (1889-1890), Charles Henry (18th June 1890), later a Captain in the 10th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment who died of wounds on 23rd July 1916 received on 1st July, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, Reginald Harold born and died in 1892, Beatrice Bromhead (1894-1901) and Gladys May (1st April 1896 – 11th January 1994).
The 1911 census shows Roland living at 448 Cleethorpes Road, Grimsby, together with his family and a servant Maud Lily Forge. He was educated at Rossall School, Lancashire and by 1921 the family had moved to ‘Sorrento’ The Park, Grimsby and following his education Roland became a Motor Engineer and proprietor of Roland C Bellamy Garage, ‘Lincolns Leading Motor Agent’ selling Morris, Wolsey, Humber, Chrysler, MG and SS cars, the latter becoming Jaguar.
In August 1923 Roland appeared before Grimsby Borough Police Court, for ‘Driving a Motor Car in a Manner Dangerous to the Public’, he had overtaken a lorry at about 30mph when pedestrians were in the area, he was found guilty and fine £3.3s and 15s expenses.
On Wednesday 20th April 1927, aged 25 at Welholme Congregational Church, he married Kathleen Alice Beacock at a ceremony performed by Reverend T Pearson Ellis and J W Griffin. He had two best men, King Osmond and Roland Archer. Their reception was in the local Masonic Hall and they honeymooned on a motor tour of Devon. They had three children, Shirley Ann born in 1929, Jennifer M 1931 and Richard Anthony 1939.
Officer of the most Excellent Order of the British Rmpire. 1939-45 Star. Defence Medal. War Medal 1939-45. Silver Jubilee Medal 1977. Efficiency Decoration 'Territorial'.
In September 1927 Roland was in court again, this time as a witness as he had had some tyres stolen from his garage, however there was insufficient evidence to proceed and the case dismissed. By 1935 the family were living at The Bungalow, Park Drive in Fitties.
Roland enlisted as an officer into the Emergency Reserve and on 28th August 1939 was appointed as 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Army Service Corps, Special List and Lieutenant the same day with service number 97348. The 1939 Register show Kathleen living at 1 Park Drive, Grimsby, Roland’s parents living at No 8 and Roland having already been mobilised in readiness for World War II. does not appear.
He was promoted to Temporary Captain on the 1st December 1939 and then War Substantive Captain on 12th March 1942 serving as General Staff Officer 3rd Grade as a Director of Technical Training at the War Office in London. On 11th January 1943 he was transferred to the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers in the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers (TARO), General List.
Whilst in London on 22nd March 1941 he was fined £1.00 at Magistrates court for failing to immobilise his car and giving his address as 30 Hatherley Road. In August 1943 he was appointed as a Magistrate for Grimsby, whilst still serving at the War Office. He was appointed as Honorary Major in 1944.
Following the war Roland remained in the TARO and awarded his 1939-45 Star (indicating service within an operational command), Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45. He also returned to the motor industry and lived with his family at 122 West Park, Barnoldby-le-Beck. He was promoted to Substantive Captain on 1st January 1949 and in the London Gazette of 26th October 1954 awarded his Efficiency Decoration ‘Territorial’ as Captain (Honorary Major).
Roland enlisted as an officer into the Emergency Reserve and on 28th August 1939 was appointed as 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Army Service Corps, Special List and Lieutenant the same day with service number 97348. The 1939 Register show Kathleen living at 1 Park Drive, Grimsby, Roland’s parents living at No 8 and Roland having already been mobilised in readiness for World War II. does not appear.
He was promoted to Temporary Captain on the 1st December 1939 and then War Substantive Captain on 12th March 1942 serving as General Staff Officer 3rd Grade as a Director of Technical Training at the War Office in London. On 11th January 1943 he was transferred to the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers in the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers (TARO), General List.
Whilst in London on 22nd March 1941 he was fined £1.00 at Magistrates court for failing to immobilise his car and giving his address as 30 Hatherley Road. In August 1943 he was appointed as a Magistrate for Grimsby, whilst still serving at the War Office. He was appointed as Honorary Major in 1944.
Following the war Roland remained in the TARO and awarded his 1939-45 Star (indicating service within an operational command), Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45. He also returned to the motor industry and lived with his family at 122 West Park, Barnoldby-le-Beck. He was promoted to Substantive Captain on 1st January 1949 and in the London Gazette of 26th October 1954 awarded his Efficiency Decoration ‘Territorial’ as Captain (Honorary Major).
Welhome Congregational Church, where Roland married Kathleen 1927.
Roland was involved in many organisations and was Chairman of the Lincolnshire Magistrates Association, a Rotarian becoming President of Grimsby Rotary Club in 1948 and made an honorary member in 1982. He was for many years in the Grimsby and District Chamber of Commerce and Shipping and their President in 1951, later made an honorary member. Chairman of several companies in the motor and petroleum industries, founder and joint editor of the ’Who’s Who in the Motor Industry’. He was a Freeman of the City of London and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Coach Makers and Coach Harness Makers, a member of the National Council of YMCAs and Chairman of Grimsby and Cleethorpes YMCA and a council member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists.
In 1957 having exceeded the age limit, aged 55, he ceased to belong to the TARO and was granted the rank of Honorary Major. In 1960 Roland and Kathleen sailed to Madeira, returning in March aboard the RMS Pretoria Castle travelling first class.
In 1964 he was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Lincolnshire and remained in post following the creation of Humberside in 1974. Roland was put forward as High Sherrif of Lincolnshire in 1968 and 1970 and on 11th March 1971, Her Majesty at a Privy Council meeting in Buckingham used a gold handled bodkin to prick the names of those appointed and Roland was selected. On 29th March 1971, he was sworn in as High Sherrif of Lincolnshire for ensuing year, this appearing in the London Gazette of 12th March 1971.
In the New Year’s Honours List of 1974 Roland was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to the magistracy in Grimsby and in 1977 awarded the Jubilee Medal 1977 as Chairman of Roland Bellamy Holdings Ltd, most likely linked to his many roles within the motor industry.
Roland passed away at home, West Park, aged 86 on 14th April 1989, his funeral was held on Thursday 20th April at St James Church, Grimsby at 1315h followed by his cremation. Kathleen died five years later, aged 91 in March 1994, a thanksgiving service was held at St Helen’s Church in May and her ashes interred in the graveyard.
In 1957 having exceeded the age limit, aged 55, he ceased to belong to the TARO and was granted the rank of Honorary Major. In 1960 Roland and Kathleen sailed to Madeira, returning in March aboard the RMS Pretoria Castle travelling first class.
In 1964 he was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Lincolnshire and remained in post following the creation of Humberside in 1974. Roland was put forward as High Sherrif of Lincolnshire in 1968 and 1970 and on 11th March 1971, Her Majesty at a Privy Council meeting in Buckingham used a gold handled bodkin to prick the names of those appointed and Roland was selected. On 29th March 1971, he was sworn in as High Sherrif of Lincolnshire for ensuing year, this appearing in the London Gazette of 12th March 1971.
In the New Year’s Honours List of 1974 Roland was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to the magistracy in Grimsby and in 1977 awarded the Jubilee Medal 1977 as Chairman of Roland Bellamy Holdings Ltd, most likely linked to his many roles within the motor industry.
Roland passed away at home, West Park, aged 86 on 14th April 1989, his funeral was held on Thursday 20th April at St James Church, Grimsby at 1315h followed by his cremation. Kathleen died five years later, aged 91 in March 1994, a thanksgiving service was held at St Helen’s Church in May and her ashes interred in the graveyard.
|
Roland C Bellamy salerooms, later run by Richard.
Roland in the mid 1980s.
|
The Story The medals awarded to Roland Cecil Bellamy were acquired from John Taylor Auctions via the Saleroom on 2nd September 2025.
They were of interest as they sit within the Civic theme, including a Silver Jubilee 1977 medal, in this collection and came with a good copy photograph of Roland as Deputy Lieutenant wearing some of his medals.
Because of his high-profile appointments, the newspaper archives provided a lot of detailed information, which together with Ancestry and the London Gazette enabled a good biography to be pieced together and an influential man who served his country for many years, to be remembered.
They were of interest as they sit within the Civic theme, including a Silver Jubilee 1977 medal, in this collection and came with a good copy photograph of Roland as Deputy Lieutenant wearing some of his medals.
Because of his high-profile appointments, the newspaper archives provided a lot of detailed information, which together with Ancestry and the London Gazette enabled a good biography to be pieced together and an influential man who served his country for many years, to be remembered.
Captain Charles Henry Bellamy - died of wounds on 23rd July 1916 received on 1st July, the first day of the Battle of the Somme,
|
Clement James Victor Bellamy, Mayor of Oxford 1939-41,
|
Medal Details:
- Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire: Unnamed as awarded.
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Silver Jubilee Medal 1977: Unnamed as awarded.
- Efficiency Decoration: 1954
This page last updated 26 Oct 25
220
