Fambourg D’Amiens Cemetery
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John (Jack) Duxfield Bell was born 1888 in the Parish of Christ Church, Newcastle upon Tyne, one of 6 known children, 3 boys and 3 girls, born to Charles William Bell 1856 and Isabella Holmes 1865. Both natives of Newcastle, they were married there March 1885 setting up home at 5, Argyle Street. Charles was employed as an engine fitter all his life and they later moved to Ramshaw Street, Elswick when John was 13 years old. A few years later, in 1904, his mother Isabella died.
In 1906 John enlisted in the Northumberland Royal Engineers as Private 247, March 13th 1906, in Newcastle, for a period of 2 years, April 22nd 1908 he re-enlisted for a further year. At the time of his enlistment he had been working as a blacksmith and was assessed during his service by a civilian foreman smith and found to be, “fair”. He left the service April 21st 1909. In 1911 his family were now living at 20 Beaumont Street, John chose to live with his cousin Michael Rooney and his family at 142 Buddle Road, Benwell, (Newcastle). They were both employed at Armstrong Whitworth Company in Elswick, a firm that specialised, pre-war, in the construction of armaments, ships and aircraft, post war, in locomotives and automobiles, he was an apprentice ship plate fitter.
John also resided in Craghead where he was employed by the Craghead Colliery Company, a keen and capable sportsman he played for Craghead A.F.C and Coxlodge.
John Duxfield Bell enlisted for the second time at the outbreak of the Great War, November 1914 in Newcastle. He was assigned as Private 1174 Northumberland Fusiliers 19th Battalion which in 1915 became a pioneer battalion. In July 1915 it was attached to the 35th Division in Marsham, taken over by the War Office in the August they moved to Salisbury Plain. Late 1915 orders were received to prepare for a move to Egypt but this was abandoned. The 19th Battalion N. F., 105th Brigade, 35th Division landed at Le Havre in France, January 28th 1916, concentrated at St. Omer, entrained and then marched to the front line. They first saw action on the Somme at the Battle of Albert in the summer of 1916, the Battle of Bazentin, fighting at Arrow Head Corpse, Maltz Horn Farm and Falfemont Farm. They served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war.
Private 1174 John Duxfield Bell Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action November 25th 1916, he is interred at Fambourg D’Amiens Cemetery Arras, grave I. J. 27, he was 28 years old and single.
His father Charles William Bell as his sole beneficiary received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
John’s brother Charles William Bell also served during the Great War. Born in Shieldfield, Newcastle in 1889 he enlisted December 4th 1915. First posted to the Army Reserve Training Corp, mobilised October 2nd was assigned as Private 184736 to the 1st Battalion Machine Gun Corp. Part of his service record exists but is almost illegible. He was discharged February 22nd 1919 due to some form of disability, cause unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
John Duxfield Bell is remembered at Craghead on C120.01, C120.04 and at Elswick on E35.10
