Arnold Bellis was the younger brother of the better known Wolfram “Bill” Bellis, secretary of SABFA in the 1920s. Both brothers were born in Broken Hill and spent time at school in Western Australia before moving to Adelaide. They played for the Cambridge club, and in 1910 Bill was the star player in the first team whilst Arnold was vice captain of Cambridge juniors. Arnold graduated to Cambridge reserves in 1911, and in 1912 he played for the Warilda club. When that club (named after a ship) disbanded at the end of the season, he did not continue his playing career.
Enlisting at Morphettville as early as 20th August 1914, Arnold gave his occupation as “butcher”, although his obituary would state that he was taking courses at the School of Mines. Posted as a driver with the 1st Divisional Train, he spent his 21st birthday at sea aboard the transport Hymettus.
He was slightly wounded at Gallipoli just before the evacuation. Serving in France he seemed to have survived the grim winter of 1916-17, but was struck down by a combination of measles and appendicitis, and died at a British casualty clearing station on 17th March 1917.
Arnold Bellis’ obituary in The Advertiser stated “although of retiring disposition, he was highly esteemed by his friends”. Arnold’s older brother Bill became a well known soccer administrator. He accompanied the Australian team on its tour of the Dutch East Indies as assistant manager in 1928, but became seriously ill immediately after his return and died at his home in Adelaide in 1929.