Obituary: Philip Bellingham

It is with great sadness that the family of Mr Philip Bellingham announces his passing on May 9^th 2024, at the age of 88.

After leaving school in 1954, Philip spent the next 5 years as an engineering apprentice at the Coventry engine branch of Morris Cars. He then completed 2 years National service with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME).

In 1961 he joined his father and became the third generation of the family at J.H.Richards & Co. Founded in 1880, J.H.Richards supplied white metal alloys, originally to the railway industry and later, white-metal bearings to the motor companies such as Austin, Morris, Rover and Alvis. The motor trade soon went on to demand a bearing repair service and almost by accident, the company found itself in the engine repair business. In 1936 it was a founder member of the National Association of Crankshaft and Cylinder Grinders – later to become the Federation of Engine Re-Manufacturers.

During the war, the company produced bearings for armoured vehicles, but post war the bi-metal thin-walled bearing had been adopted by the volume manufacturers. The engine repair side of the business was still very busy but to replace the lost work J.H.Richards moved into larger industrial whitemetal bearings, used in the metal making and power generation industries.

The engine repair business was not forgotten tho. In 1979 J.H.Richards merged with The Coventry Boring and Metalling Co, who continued to trade from their Coventry premises. And in 1982, in order to separate the engine repair and industrial bearing businesses, the subsidiary company, West Midland Engines was set up, in its own premises in Nechells, Birmingham.

Thro all this time Philip maintained strong connections with the FER, serving as treasurer for many years and two terms 1987-1989 and 2000-2002 as president. He firmly believed in the benefits of the Federation and as president worked hard to visit every individual member during his terms.

Philip is survived by his wife Myrtle, 2 sons, 2 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.