Papers of William Bellamy, 1920-1970

This collection comprises scrapbooks and photograph albums, compiled by William Bellamy, relating to his time as the Mayor of the Borough of Dagenham (1947) and then the first Mayor of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (1965-1966). Also includes further loose family photographs (circa. 1920-1970).

William Bellamy was born in Lambeth in 1903, and was educated at Bow, East London. He came to Dagenham with his wife, following their marriage in October 1931. He was elected to the Council in 1937, was made Alderman in 1945 and the Mayor of the Borough of Dagenham between 1946 and 1947. He went on to become Justice of the Peace for the County of Essex in 1956 and then the first Mayor of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham from 1965 to 1966.

During this time he was a member of a number of committees, as well as being a representative on the boards of many local charities and organisations, such as the Mayor's Charity Fund, the Local Savings Committee and the Ilford and Romford War Pensions Committee. He also held many executive positions in the local Labour Party, including Honourable Secretary of the Rush Green Section, Chairman of the North East Ward Section and Leader of the Labour Party Group of Councillors.

In addition to the above, Alderman Bellamy served with the Royal Artillery, and then the Royal Engineers, with who he took part in the Normandy Landings on 6 June 1944. He worked on the railways for 47 years, before being made redundant from his post as Townsman at the Romford Goods Station in 1974.

This material is open to research and can be viewed at the Barking and Dagenham Archive and Local Studies Centre. To make an appointment to visit the reading room, please telephone 020 8227 2033 or email at localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk.

Catalogued by Clare Sexton, Borough Archivist.

For further information about the contents of this collection, please contact the Barking and Dagenham Archive and Local Studies Centre by telephone 020 8227 2033 or email at localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk.

For further information about our reprographics and publication charges, please visit our website http://valencehousecollections.co.uk/