Heslop's Weekly Advertiser

"The many friends of Mr. T.W. Bell, son of Mr. T. Bell, 71 Hewitson Terrace, Felling, will be pleased to hear that he has been granted a commission as Lieutenant in the "C" Company 24th Infantry Reinforcements, New Zealand.

His great-grand-neice, Nicole Fernley adds:

"T.W. Bell became a Solicitor who, in 1926, was present at the inquest on his nephew's death at sea (Richard Nigel Bell)"

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

Thomas William Bell was born at Felling, Gateshead in 1885, one of 9 children he was the 2nd born of 3 known sons, 5 daughters and 1 gender unknown. His father Thomas Bell known as Tom native of Haltwhistle, Northumberland married at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1872 to Margaret Robertson, of Edinburgh, Scotland, both were born in 1852. Thomas Bell Snr was a joiner by trade in 1881 whilst he and his family were living 9, Church Street, Felling. Ten years later they can be found at Chapel Street, daughter Jane (17) worked for her own account as a dressmaker, son John a telegraph clerk, Thomas William (16) listed as William was employed as a commercial clerk, Philip 8 a scholar, their nephew Philip Bell aged 22 years lived with them employed at the colliery as a shunter. In 1911 the family were living at 71, Hewitson Street, however, Thomas William Bell had left the family home.

He served during WW1 reaching the rank of Lieutenant, in peacetime he was a practising solicitor.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.