Commonwealth War Graves Commission and private burials: whilst graves listed in the CWGC’s Debt of Honour Register usually have official GWGC gravestones, there are quite a lot of private gravestones too. These are mainly for men who died in the UK and whose bodies were brought back home by their family for burial in a local churchyard or cemetery. Sometimes they were buried in the family plot, along with other relatives, and their details added to the family headstone. At other times they lie alone in a specially-purchased plot with a private stone, perhaps because the relatives wanted something more personal than a standard CWGC gravestone, or perhaps for political reasons. There are two in Bellie:
ANDERSON, HUGH JOHN SHEARER – Squadron Leader. 41097. Date of Death 15/11/1942. Age 25. Royal Air Force. Service Country – United Kingdom.
In loving memory of our dear son Squadron Leader HUGH JOHN SHEARER ANDERSON who died 15th Nov.1942 aged 25 years. Also his father HUGH ANDERSON, Builder, who died 1st Jan.1952 aged 61 years, beloved husband of ISABELLA CLARK. Also the said ISABELLA CLARK who died 20th Dec. 1953 aged 61 years. Sadly missed.
ANDERSON – Suddenly at a Military Hospital, Squadron Leader H.J.S. Anderson, The Northern Scot – 10 Jan. 1942 : aged 25 only son of Mr. and Mrs . Hugh Anderson, Maxwell Street, Fochabers, Deeply regretted. Interred in Bellie Churchyard.
Forces War Records entry states : Son of HUGH SHEARER ANDERSON and of ISABELLA ANDERSON (nee CLARK, of Fochabers ; husband of MURIEL GEORGINA ANN ANDERSON (nee CONINGSBY).
McLAREN, ROBERT McKAY – Private 2882264. Date of Death 03/01/1942. Age 21. Gordon Highlanders. Service Country – United Kingdom.
In loving memory of EDWARD DOUGLAS, dearly beloved son of WILLIAM & ANNIE McLAREN, who died at Auchenhalrig, 9th May aged 21/2 years. And of their youngest son ROBERT, 6th Battn. The Gordon Highrs. Died at Colchester 3rd Jany. 1942 aged 21 years. Sadly missed.
The Northern Scot – 10 Jan, 1942: McLAREN – Suddenly at St. Michael’s Hospital, Colchester on the 3rd January, Private Robert McKay McLaren, youngest son of Mr. & Mrs. William McLaren, Woodbine Cottage, Auchenhalrig. Sadly Missed and deeply mourned.
Forces War Records entry states :Son of William and Annie McLaren, of Auchenhalrig. Resident County: Banffshire.
