Henry Bell
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Henry Bell was born in 1887 at Radford, he was the son of the late Alfred Bell a lace maker and Charlotte Bell née Hewitt of 52 Garden Street, Radford, Alfred was born in 1868 at Nottingham, he died in 1897 aged 29 yrs, his mother Charlotte Hewitt was born in 1867 at Nottingham, they were married on 14th December 1885 at St Matthias Church, Sneinton, Nottingham, they had two further children, Ernest born 1889 and Lilly born 1890. His mother went to re marry to George Chapman an iron turner. In the 1911 census his mother is living at 106 Mitchell Street, Nottingham, with her new husband George Chapman 37 yrs an iron turner she is shown as Charlotte Chapman 45 yrs , she is living with her daughter Lilly 20 yrs, a lace hand and 4 children of Georges. Henry married Caroline Freeman (born 29th July 18830) in 1908 their marriage was recorded in the Nottingham registration district, they went on to have a son Harry Bell born 22nd September 1914, the family lived at 8 Bullivant Street, Nottingham. Commencing 12th June 1916 his widow was awarded a pension of 15 shillings a week. His widow died in 1918 aged 33 yrs.
Private Henry Bell enlisted at Nottingham, he served with the 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, he landed in France on 19th September 1914 he was reported missing, later confirmed killed in action on 8th November 1914Y, having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial
Obituaries published in the Nottingham Evening Post on 12th June 1916:- “BELL. – Private H. Bell, 11, Argyle-street, reported missing November 8th, 1914, now officially reported killed. Silently mourned. – From his sorrowing wife and child.“BELL. – Private H. Bell, reported missing November 8th, 1914, now officially reported killed. – From his sorrowing mother, father, sisters, and brothersAbove obituaries courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 His brother Private Ernest Bell, enlisted in Nottingham and served with the 1/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire) Regiment (Robin Hood Rifles). He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, on 1st July 1916, he has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
