Hugh Bellamy

Who was Hugh Bellamy?

Brigadier Hugh Bellamy CBE DSO was a senior British Army officer who commanded the 6th Airlanding Brigade during the Rhine Crossing on 24 March 1945 and in the advance across Germany during the Second World War.

Born Robert Hugh Bellamy, he was educated at Sherborne School, a British boys' independent school, and then at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

Bellamy was commissioned into the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in 1930. He served in France in 1940 and was mentioned in despatches. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1943. He served in Northwest Europe during 1944 and 1945 and was awarded the DSO in 1944.

Bellamy was promoted to Brigadier in January 1945 and took over command of 6th Airlanding Brigade, part of 6th Airborne Division. He commanded the Brigade during Operation Varsity, the air assault landing over the Rhine on 24 March 1945, and during the advance across Germany to the Baltic. He was awarded a Bar to his DSO in 1945.

Bellamy remained in command of 6th Airlanding Brigade following its move to Palestine in 1945 and was mentioned in despatches again. He commanded the 2nd Parachute Brigade in Palestine and the British Army of the Rhine from 1946 to 1948. He was Deputy Director of Weapons Development at the War Office from 1950 to 1952. He was Deputy General Officer Commanding Hong Kong and General Officer Commanding 40th Infantry Division from 1954 to 1956. Bellamy was appointed CBE in 1956. He was Chief of Staff, 1 Corps from 1956 to 1958. He retired from the British Army in 1958, and lived in Belgravia, London.