Major Edward Valentine Hemelryk served in No. 173 Company, The Pioneer Corps at his time of death at No. 24 (London) General Hospital, Belfast in May 1941.
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Major Edward Valentine Hemelryk D.S.O., T.D. (22423) served in No. 173 Company, The Pioneer Corps during the Second World War. Born on 9th September 1885, he was the son of Paulus Josephus Hemelrijk and Caroline Bertha Hemelrijk of Wavertree Lodge, Mill Lane, Wavertree, Liverpool, England. He was a recipient of the Territorial Decoration and the Distinguished Service Order.
In 1912, Edward married Norah Frances McCabe in Rock Ferry, Cheshire, England, and the couple went on to have 5 children.
By 1909, Hemelryk was a Second Lieutenant in 4th West Lancashire (Howitzer) Ammunition Column. On 4th August 1914, he departed for France as a Captain in the Royal Artillery. Hemelryk saw action at The Somme, Messines, Ypres, and Cambrai. Alongside 55th West Lancashire Division, his unit helped hold the town of Givenchy. In January 1916, Hemelryk received a promotion to Major and continued to serve in that role until sustaining injuries on 22nd April 1918. During The Great War, he received both the Territorial Decoration and the Distinguished Service Order.
By 1925, the then Lieutenant Colonel Hemelryk resided at Holme Leigh House in Walton Park, Liverpool, England. On 14th May 1929, as a Colonel, he took command of 87th (1st West Lancashire) Field Brigade, a position he held until 30th August 1931.
Major Hemelryk died on 5th May 1941 aged 56 years old. His place of death was No. 24 (London) General Hospital at Campbell College, Belfast. The military hospital sustained heavy damage during the Fire Raid of the Belfast Blitz. His grave is in Glenalina Extension, Section CS, Grave 87 of Belfast City Cemetery, Belfast.