Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
George Henry was the son of Thomas and Louisa (nee Mayhew) who married at Durham in 1890. He was their fourth child and was born at Coxhoe in 1899. His siblings were William, Thomas, Harriet, Ernest, Louisa and Ralph.
In 1901 the family were living at accommodation at Front Street Coxhoe. Father, Thomas was a mason. He died in 1908.
The 1911 census shows that after the death of Thomas, Louisa had married Robert William Bell (coincidentally with same surname) about 1910 at Durham. Robert took on her family as his stepchildren.
In 1911 the census also shows William was working as a bricklayer at the quarry, whilst brother, Thomas, was a labourer
George attested for the Training Reserve Battalion on January 22nd 1917 and was mobilised in September that same year at the age of 19 years. He was a quarryman by trade. He was 5‘4” tall. His faith was Church of England.
He was posted to 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry on April 1st 1918 but sadly by the following month he was reported missing. His death was presumed by the War Office according to the lapse of time as having occurred on or since May 27th 1918. His total service amounted to 1 year 126 days.
Medals: British War Medal and Victory Medal
George Henry Bell is remembered at Coxhoe on C103.01, C103.02 and C103.08 and at Tursdale on T62.02
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 132
