Photo: Ken and Pam Linge
Pam and Ken Linge have submitted the following:-
Herbert Dobson was born in Quarry Burn, Co. Durham, the son of James and Dorothy Bell (nee Dobson). James was a coal miner hewer. They had ten children: Mary Elizabeth (b. 1884), James Henry (b. 1885), Herbert Dobson (b. 1887), Redford (b. 1889), Tamar (b. 1891, d. 1894), Dorothy Ann (b. 1893), Margaret (b. 1894), Freda (b. 1895), Cornelius (b. 1897) and Tamar (b. 1901, d. 1903).
Herbert Dobson married Amy McGee on 18th April 1915, lived at 1A Belle Vue, Willington. In 1911 he was employed as a coal miner.
Herbert enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 11th January 1915 and joined the East Yorkshire Regiment. He went to France on 9th September 1915.
He was admitted to 6th London Field Ambulance with gunshot wounds to the abdomen on 28th September but died the following day.
Auckland Chronicle 21/10/1915 reports:-
Lance-Corpl. H. D. Bell
There would appear to be some doubt as to whether L/C H D Bell of Quarryburn of the 8th East Yorks, has been killed in action on September 25th as stated by us last week. A communication to hand states that official information was received on October 19th to the effect that he is wounded. We sincerely trust that this statement will prove to be correct.
Auckland Chronicle 03/08/1916 reports:-
Memorial Service
An impressive memorial service was held in the new Parish Hall on Sunday afternoon to the late Fred Walker, 2nd Yorks; Pte. R. Mitchell, Tyneside Scottish; and Pte. Bell. All these men are connected with Willington Presbyterian Church. The two former belonged to Willington; and Pte. Bell to Hunwick. The service was held by the Presbyterians. The pastor, the Rev. R. R. Rider, gave a touching address, in which he paid a high tribute to the deceased. Willington Silver Band, under the leadership of Mr. J. B. Wright, played “Edwinson” on the way to the Parish Hall, and played the accompaniment to the hymns at the service, and rendered W. Rimmer’s special arrangement of the "Last Post."
Recipient of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal
His brother Private Redford Bell, 14583, 7th Battalion, Border Regiment, died on 23rd April 1917, aged 28. Another brother James Henry Bell served as Acting Sergeant 13122, 9th Battalion, Border Regiment, later Acting Lance Sergeant 5307, Royal Irish Regiment. He went to France on 3rd September 1915 and survived the war.
Herbert Dobson Bell is remembered at Willington on W120.02 and W120.15 also at Hunwick on H133.01
