in 2005, at the age of 81. Bellamy married Ann Burbury in 1950. They had four sons and one daughter: Simon, James, Andrew, Giles and Sarah. Ann died in 2001 and Bill got remarried to Felicity Sidders in 2007. His son Andrew followed in his footsteps and was commissioned in the Queen's Royal Irish Hussars, rose to the rank of brigadier, and became colonel of the regiment in November 2009 in the wake of Major General Arthur Denaro CBE DL. Bill Bellamy was also the "adopted" grandfather to two Palestinian students after financing a trip to England as part of their studies. His wartime diary and photographs remained in his attic for forty years until he rediscovered them and decided to write up his wartime experiences for his children. A publisher persuaded him to publish them, as Troop Leader, A Tank Commander's Story in 2005. He died of cancer at Barnstaple, Devon on 18 March 2009. References Bibliography External links British Army Officers 1939−1945 1923 births 2009 deaths 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars officers Aftermath of World War II in the United Kingdom British Army personnel of World War II British military writers Graduates of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst Knights of the Holy Sepulchre Northamptonshire Yeomanry officers People from Northampton Recipients of the Military Cross Royal Armoured Corps officers Military personnel from Northamptonshire