John William Bell
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
John William Bell was born on 20th December 1894 at Metheringham he was the son of Joseph a farm labourer and the late Fanny Emma Bell née Bee of Brant Broughton, Lincolnshire.
His father Joseph was born in 1866 at Metheringham, Lincs his mother Fanny Emma Bee was born in 1865 at Billingham, Lincolnshire, she died on 12th January 1917 she was 57 yrs of age Fanny brought a child to the marriage Charles Bee born 1884 they were married in 1887 their marriage was recorded in the Sleaford Registration district, they went on to have 17 children, sadly 4 were to die in infancy or ealry childhood.
In the 1911 census the famiy are living at Brant Broughton, Joseph Bell 45 yrs a farm labourer is living with his wife Fanny Emma 46 yrs and7 of their children.
Private John William Bell enlisted at Lincoln whilst residing at Newark, he served with the 2/4th Bn Lincolnshire Regiment, he was killed in action on 8th June 1917, having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme
the following is from loveden.org.uk website, and gives details of the circumstances surrouding the death of Fanny Emma Bell
On Saturday 13th January 1917 they were living at Leadenham Lowfield when Fanny Emma went to Bran Broughton with two of her daughter, she brought half a pint of whisky at the Red ion at 11.30 am, Later that day she sent the girls home and bought another half pint of whiskey at 5.30 about the time they arrived home without her.
Joseph found her body in the river Brant the next moring 350 yards downstream from the plank bridge she would have crossed on the the way home. At the inquest she was reported to have drunk in Brant Broughton at 5.30pm and the doctor she had chronic alcoholism. Several weeks before she'd fallen off the plank bridge through catching her dress on the handrail, Joseph had pulled her out of the river,
His brother Private 42506 Charles Bee enlisted at Lincoln he served with the 2nd battalion Durham Light Infantry, he died of wounds on 11th January 1917, he is buried at Bethume Town Cemetry.
He is not record on this roll of honour as he has no direct connection with Nottinghamshire.
additionmal research and information Peter Gillings
Photo of John William Bell
Thiepval Memorial,