John Elmer Bell
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Parents William and Ellenor/Eleanor Bell. Baptised 25 February 1900 at Arthuret, Cumberland. John was one of five children; his siblings were: Thomas Percy, Eva Janet, Hilda and William. In 1891 William and Eleanor had the Graham Arms Inn, English Street, Arthuret, Cumberland; William was described as a keeper and farmer and his wife held the license. Thomas, their first child, was one year old. By 1901 they were living in Boroughgate, Appleby, and William and Eleanor were described as hotel/pub proprietors. John Elmer, their youngest child, was one year old. In 1911 they were at the Maypole Hotel, Nottingham, where Eleanor held the license, William being described as a 'farmer, out of work'. Four children were living with them; Eva Janet (19), Hilda (17), William (14) and John (10). A son, 'Frederick', (presumably their eldest son Thomas) is described as a 'colonial visitor'. By the time of John's death in 1917 his mother was a widow. Two brothers also served.
'B' Bty, 93rd Bde Royal Field Artillery. John's details on the 1901 and 1911 census suggest that the obituary in the church magazine is correct in saying that he was 15 years old if he did indeed enlist in 1915. Killed in action and buried Canada Farm Cemetery (grave ref III.C.46)
War obituary, All Saints Church News, 'John E [Elmer] Bell, late of 68 Shakespeare Street, Gunner Royal Field Artillery, enlisted on his 15th birthday, January 1st 1915, killed in action September 26th 1917. His mother is a widow, he has two brothers fighting.' Extract from the Nottingham Evening Post dated 18th October 1917 : - “BELL. – Killed in action, September 26th, 1917, Gunner John E. Bell, R.F.A., younger son of Mrs. E. Bell and the late W. Bell, late Maypole Hotel, Nottingham, aged 17.” [1] Enlisting on 1st January 1915, his fifteenth birthday, news of his death was published in the newspaper he worked for prior to joining up. “Gunner John E. Bell, R.F.A., the son of Mrs. Bell, formerly of the Maypole Hotel, Nottingham, was killed in action on September 26th. The deceased, who was employed in the Guardian and Post publishing offices, was able to enlist on his fifteenth birthday, Jan. 1st, 1915, owing to the fact that he looked much older than he actually was. Although he had not attained his eighteenth year he had served for two years and six months in France. Above extract courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
