Eric Bell
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Eric was born in 1900 the son of Isaac a lace maker and Harriett Elizabeth Bell,of 14 Nelson Road, Daybrook. His father was born in 1865 at Kimberley and his mother in 1865 at Heage, Derbyshire. Married around 1884, they had twelve children, ten surviving infancy - Percy b.1885, Isaac Bernard b.1888, Ida Elizabeth b.1890, Doris b.1892, Lancelot William b.1894, Eric b.1900, twins Ruby Victoria and Sylvia Alexander b.1901 and Eileen Cordelia b.1907. All the children were born in Kimberley except Eileen who was born at Nottingham. In 1901 they lived on Chapel Street, Kimberley and in 1911 at Nelson Road, Daybrook. Percy, Isaac Bernard and Lancelot William were miners.
Eric enlisted at Hucknall on 12th April 1917 giving his age as 17 yrs and 11 months and his occupation as motor driver. His medical examination showed him as being 5 feet 2 3/4 inches tall 118 lbs and having a 34 inch chest. On 12th April 1917 he was placed into the reserves. On 11th June 1917 he was mobilised and joined the training reserve battalion and underwent his training being posted on 23rd June 1917. On 31st March 1918 he embarked from Folkestone for Boulogne. On the 11th April 1918 , the battalion was in positions on the eastern bank of the canalised River Lawe where it formed a sharp salient consisting of a number of detached posts in the form of redoubts. Pont Riquel Post on the left flank, in centre Le Marais Post East, Le Marais Post West and Le Marais Post South these posts being held by “A” and “B” Company’s with “D” in reserve.Le Marais Post East fell to the Germans at about 1pm on the 11th April, and Le Marais Post West at 3 pm the same day. Le Marais Post South was almost surrounded by 4.30pm and in great danger of being cut off, and the survivors fought a bitter rear guard action in pulling back to new positions. All day the casualties were very heavy indeed from all Company fronts and it was at this time Eric was taken prisoner by the Germans but was later wounded and killed by British shell fire while being held behind the German lines.
Ploegstreet Memorial, Belgium Panel 8 & 9
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