Pam and Ken Linge have submitted the following:-
John Henry was born in Bishop Auckland, the son of Christopher and Ellen Bell (nee Chambers). They had at least two children: Michael (b. 1876) and John Henry (b. 1879).
He married Martha Kirby in 1903 and lived at 20 Mill Street, Willington. They had at least four children: William James (b. 1904), Robert (b. 1907), Ellen (b. 1910) and Thomas (b. 1912). In 1911 he was employed as a coal miner hewer.
John Henry enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and joined the Northumberland Fusiliers.
Auckland Chronicle 07/12/1916 reports:-
Corpl. J. H. Bell, Northumberland Fusiliers, of Willington, has been wounded.
Durham Advertiser 08/12/1916 reports:-
Local Soldier Wounded
His relatives have been informed that Corporal J. H. Bell, Northumberland Fusiliers, of Willington, has been wounded.
Auckland Chronicle 21/12/1916 reports:-
Mrs. Martha Bell, of Sunnybrow, Willington, has been officially informed that her husband, Corpl. John Henry Bell, Northumberland Fusiliers, died of wounds on 6 Dec. last at Boulogne. He was 37 years of age and the adopted son of the late Mr. William and Ann James, of Sunnybrow, Willington.
Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
John Henry Bell is remembered at Willington on W120.02, W120.06 and W120.15 and at Sunnybrow on S149.01
