THOMAS BELLIS 

Thomas BELLIS
Rank: Stoker 1st Class
Service Number:K/33651.
Regiment: H.M.S. "Penarth." Royal Navy
Died Tuesday 4th February 1919
Age 32
County Memorial Chester
Commemorated\Buried Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Grave\Panel Ref: 32.
CountryUnited Kingdom

Thomas's Story.

Son of William and Annie Bellis, of 13, Back Brook Street, Chester.

Chester Observer Saturday, February 22, 1919

First Class Stoker Tom Bellis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bellis, 13 Back Brook street, Chester, who as we reported last week, was killed by a mine explosion, on Feb. 4th last, while serving on board a minesweeper. The sad news was received with great regret. Frist Class Stoker Bellis, who was 31 years of age, joined the Navy in June 1916 and was previously employed at the Hydraulic Engineering Co’s works, Chester.


The 'Mail' announced last evening in a telegram from South Shields, that a calamity to a naval vessel 20 miles off the town was reported. It is stated that HMS PENARTH (1919), a new two-funnelled vessel, was sunk by a mine. No details are to hand. Two trawlers picked up and landed about 40 of the crew. The ship runs in and out of Grimsby. [Hull Daily Mail, Thursday, 6 February 1919] Forty-one of the survivors were brought into the Tyne by two trawlers yesterday morning, and landed at North Shields. [Newcastle Daily Chronicle, Thursday, 6 February 1919] The Admiralty announces: Whilst laying buoys, HMS PENARTH struck a mine off the Yorkshire coast at 2 pm on Tuesday and sank. Already 35 survivors have been landed in the Tyne, and trawlers are engaged in operations for the rescue of the remainder, 40 officers and men, who formed the ship's complement. The PENARTH was a twin-screw minesweeper of 800 tons. [Newcastle Daily Chronicle, Thursday, 6 February 1919] The number of casualties through the sinking of the minesweeper PENARTH (1919), which struck a mine off the Yorkshire coast on Tuesday afternoon, is two officers and 37 ratings. The commanding officer, Lieut Peter Sturrock, DSC, RNR and Artificer-Engineer Alfred Trotter, RN, are among the lost.

[Hull Daily Mail, Friday, 7 February 1919] The Press Association learns authoritatively that fog and snow undoubtedly accounted for the loss of the PENARTH. She was out mine-sweeping, and apparently lost her bearings and drifted in to an uncleared minefield, with the result announced by the Admiralty. Her First Lieutenant, Lieut Wainwright, had but lately returned from three years' captivity in Germany. He was picked up after suffering exposure for a day and a half in intense cold, but is now none the worse for his terrible experience. [Hull Daily Mail, Saturday, 8 February 1919] A number of Grimsby men who were serving upon HMS PENARTH, returned to their homes on Friday. Interviewed the men stated that the ship appeared to strike mines which exploded 'forrard and 'midships.' As she sunk she appeared to break in two, and there was an explosion, apparently due to the bursting of the boilers. One man who was sucked down in the vortex was carried again to the surface, and though a non-swimmer managed to secure a piece of wreckage, to which he clung for some three hours, when he was picked up by a trawler. [Hull Daily Mail, Saturday, 8 February 1919] The number of casualties in the sinking of the minesweeper PENARTH off the Yorkshire coast on Tuesday was: Officers 2; ratings 37. [Newcastle Daily Chronicle, Saturday, 8 February 1919]