Diver. Born William Robert Bellenie in Newington, SE1 (but we can't find the address). Began diver training at Portsmouth Dockyard and qualified in 1892. He is famous as the saviour of Winchester Cathedral, which was sinking into the peat on which it was built. He worked for about five years, putting concrete into over 250 pits which had been dug around the building's foundations. His work took place at a depth of six metres in total darkness. When complete, bricklayers were able to repair the damaged walls in the conventional way. He was awarded the MVO (Member of the Royal Victorian Order) for his work.
Died aged only 49 during the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918 and was buried at Beckenham Cemetery. The BBC have a photo of his grave marker, which does not provide his exact dates.
Our colleague, Andrew Behan, came up with the dates and a probable address for his birth. He states that William Robert Bellenie was born on 21 October 1869, the eldest of the ten children of William John Bellenie (1843-1904) and Frances Jane Bellenie née Rose (1850-1902). His birth was registered in the 4th quarter of 1869 in the Newington Registration District, Surrey (now Greater London). On 20 February 1870 he was baptised in St Peter's Church, Liverpool Grove, Walworth, Surrey (now Greater London), where his date of birth is confirmed in the baptismal register, that his family lived at 127 Hill Street, Walworth and that his father was a carpenter.
In addition to the extensive information about this man on his , on 11 November 1883, using his name as Robert William Bellenie and having just turn 14 years of age, he joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Class 2. He lied about his age stating he was aged 15 years and gave his date of birth as 21 October 1868. Promoted to a Boy Class 1 after one year of service, he was made an Ordinary Seaman on his alleged 18th birthday, 21 October 1886 by signing on for 10 years. On 3 July 1890 he was serving as a Diver on HMS Marathon. On 3 May 1893 he paid £12 to purchase his early discharge from the Royal Navy.
On 2 November 1898, having changed his surname he was, as William Robert Walker, initiated as a freemason in the Royal Jubilee Lodge No.72 which met at Anderton's Hotel, Fleet Street, London and he is shown in the membership registers held by the United Grand Lodge of England at Freemasons' Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5AZ as aged 28 years, residing at 28 Selsdon Road, Nunhead and that his occupation was a diver.
His death was registered as William Robert Walker, aged 49 years, in the 4th quarter of 1918 in the Croydon Registration District, Surrey (now Greater London). Probate records show him as 'Walker, Robert William Bellenie, of 112 Portland Road, South Norwood, Surrey, died 30 October 1918'. Probate was granted on 2 January 1919 jointly to Robert Henry Davis, a managing director and to his widow Alice Ellen Bellenie Walker. His effects totalled £1,868-2s-1d. His in Beckenham Cemetery and Crematorium, Elmers End Road, Beckenham, BR3 4TD.
He is shown as 'William Walker MVO' on the memorial plaque attached to 118 Portland Road, London, SE25.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
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