Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Freemasons VC Memorial | Great Queen Street | |
| 2. Book: | Beyond The Five Points | Pgs 165-166 | |
Awards & Titles: | Victoria Cross | ||
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: London Regiment |
| Action : War Survivor |
Although many perished in times of national conflict and in the service of their country, many more survived including those interned as Prisoners of War. Stories of those who did survive are included as part of this site, especially those with high gallantry awards, those included against an external rolls of honour and those who had a distinguished career in wartime and military leaderhip.
Lieutenant, Surbiton (1916).
Citations & Commemorations :
On the early morning of 13th May, 1915, when in charge of a portion of an advanced breastwork south of the Wieltje-St. Julien Road during a very fierce and continuous bombardment by the enemy, which frequently blew in the breastwork, Lance-Serjeant Belcher with a mere handful of men elected to remain and endeavour to hold his position after the troops near him had been withdrawn. By his skill and great gallantry he maintained his position during the day, opening rapid fire on the enemy, who were only 150 to 200 yards distant, whenever he saw them collecting for an attack. There is little doubt that the bold front shown by Lance-Serjeant Belcher prevented the enemy breaking through on the Wieltje Road, and averted an attack on the flank of one of our Divisions.Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Arts and Crafts No. 3387 E.C. | London |
| Joined : | Hazara No. 4159 E.C. | London |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
4th March 1916 | 5th April 1916 | 6th May 1916 |
Joined as a serving soldier, immediately going on to complete at least 4 years of war service whilst in Arts and Crafts Lodge. The register further shows that he was in arrears of subscription for the 2 years 1920-21. A further annotation suggests that he had joined Lodge No. 4159, which he had. He joined Hazara Lodge on 13th July 1920, at Abbotabad as a petitioner and founder member, its register showing that the original founding WM died before consecration, meaning that he moved into the open position.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley