Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 22 March 1941
Nine Months Silence
Wombwell Woman Awaits News of Husband
” Hide-Out ” Story
On June 11th, 1940, Gunner James Belshaw (34) of 11, Gower Street. Wombwell, wrote from France telling his wife he was ” 0.K.” Four days later he was officially reported missing and from that day not a word has been heard of him.
Gunner Belshaw is a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas Belshaw, of 23, Gower Street. Wombwell.
A reservist, he was called up at the outbreak of war, rejoining the Royal Artillery. He was drafted to France in January of last year and his last letter home, written on June 11th, was received by his wife on June 18th. She had informed him that the B.E.F. were getting back to England from Dunkirk. and he replied, ” They are lucky. I was unlucky being sent down here.” He also mentioned that he had passed through Paris and had been travelling five days: also that he had been sent for a month’s trial with a railway construction company of the Royal Engineers.
Mrs. Belshaw can give no clue as to his whereabouts, but thinks the following description might help someone to call him to mind. Height 5ft. 7ins., very dark complexion, clean shaven, quiet manner, went by the nickname “Bob.”
Mrs. Belshaw was told some time ago of a party of Engineers who were trapped when the Germans invaded France. Leaving their “hide-out.” one section went to seek food while the others struck out and made for the coast which they reached safely. From a description she is inclined to think that one of the first mentioned party was her husband.
From C.W.G.C.:
GUNNER JAMES BELSHAW
Service Number: 1073264
Regiment & Unit: Royal Artillery 204 Bty. 51 Anti-Tank Regt.
Date of Death: Died 17 June 1940
Age 33 years old
Buried or commemorated at DUNKIRK MEMORIAL Column 10, France
Additional Info
Son of John T. and Elizabeth Belshaw; husband of Dorothy A. Belshaw, of Wombwell, Yorkshire.