Category: Military
Rank: Gunner
Regiment or Ship: Royal Field Artillery
Service Number(s): 2014; 906342
Occupation: Plumber
Date of Birth: 11.08.1887
Place of Birth: St. Leonards, Sussex
Date of Death: 1966
Place of Death: Hastings, Sussex
Address: 15 Arncliffe Terrace, Sidley, Bexhill-on-Sea
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents: Thomas Belchamber (1856- ) and Fanny Belchamber, nee Leach, (1859-1926).
Siblings:
Elsie Belchamber (1892- ).
Tom Belchamber (1893- ).
William Belchamber (1895- ). W0320 BELCHAMBER William
James married Emily Trowell on 15th November 1913 in Malling, Kent.
First World War Experience
James enlisted on 11th December 1915. He was then 29 years 10 months old, was 5’ 6” tall, with a florid complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. His occupation was listed as Plumber. Unfortunately, on 26th May 1917 he attended an Army Medical and was shown to be no longer physically fit for War Service. He was suffering from V.D.H. (which is a valvular disease of the heart) which the medical says “originated some years ago. Not the result of and not aggravated by Service. Permanent. Aggravated by intemperance and misconduct.”
He was eligible for a gratuity which was £30. He was officially discharged on 16th June 1917.
As James did not see service overseas he received no medals as such but was entitled to a War Badge.