Edwin Isaac Bell
Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Edwin Isaac Bell was born at Allendale, near Hexham, County Durham, the 2nd born of 3 sons. His father William Bell married in 1866 in the district of Hexham to Frances Whitfield, both were born at Allendale, Northumberland in 1840 and 1842 respectively. Frances was the daughter of Thomas and Ann Whitfield, however, in 1861 at 19 years of age she was living with her uncle and aunt, Edward, a butcher and grocer, and Elizabeth Henderson of Plain Tree House, Allendale. During the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/March) 1962, her son George Whitfield was born. After her marriage to William she gave birth to Thomas Bell in 1869, Edwin 1872 and John in 1879.
In 1871 they were living in the village Nine Banks, Allendale, with son Thomas (2), Frances’s son George Whitfield (11) a scholar and her widowed mother, Ann Whitfield. William was employed as an agricultural labourer, ten years later they had moved to Pelton Fell, near Chester-le-Street and he was now employed as a general labourer, George Whitfield now listed under the surname of Bell, aged 21 years, employed as a weighman at the colliery, Thomas (12) and Edwin (9) were scholars, John (2) remained at home with his mother.
Edwin who was born March 13th 1872 at the age of 21 years enlisted, November 10th 1892, assigned as Sapper 27100 Royal Engineers, however, he was discharged March 13th 1893.
He married at the Wesleyan Chapel Chester-le-Street, July 27th 1895 to Dorothy Cummings born 1876 at Pittington, County Durham and moved to 17, Ellison Road, Whickham, near Gateshead. He supported his wife, son William (3) and daughter Frances (2) working as a house joiner/carpenter, by 1911 they were living at 17, Kenmir Street, Felling. His father William Bell died at Chester-le Street in 1909, in 1911 his mother Francis was living at 5, Sarah Street, Chester-le-Street.
On the outbreak of war despite the fact he was 43 years old and already above the maximum age for enlistment he presented himself, January 9th 1915 at Chatham, declaring to have served 2 years with the 4th Rifle Volunteer Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was assigned as Sapper 63342 Royal Engineers, registered as, “carpenter superior” and transferred to the 92nd Field Company, January 16th 1915.
Sapper Bell departed for the Western Front July 27th 1915 joining his Company in the field. March 22nd 1916 he was appointed Acting Lance Corporal and with his Company attached to the 18th Division participated during the following phases of the Battles of the Somme at the Battle of Albert July 1st-13th, Bazentin Ridge July 14th-17th, Delville Wood July 15th-September 3rd, Thiepval September 26th-28th and Ancre Heights October 1st-November 11th where as 2nd Corporal, October 21st 1916, he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in battle on land.
During March 1917 the 92nd Field Company remained on the Somme at Irles and Bapaume during March and May 3rd-4th at the Battle of the Scarpe before moving to Belgium where they remained on active service from July 30th 1917-March 1918 after which they were posted to the Hindenburg Line.
The now Corporal Bell was transferred back to England July 22nd 1918 and posted to Class Z Army Reserve upon demobilisation September 1st 1919. Class Z Reserve was for men who had signed up for the duration of the war and would be obliged to return to active service should hostilities with Germany resume.
Corporal 63342 Edwin Isaac Bell M.M. died of illness at his home at 22, Windsor Terrace, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, March 19th 1919. He was buried with military honours and interred at Heworth St. Mary Churchyard, Gateshead, he was 47 years old.
His widow received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their children and his awards of the Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Probate was granted May 20th 1919 at Durham to his widow Dorothy Bell and half-brother George Whitfield Bell, colliery weighman, in the sum of 151 pounds 4 shillings 6 pence.
Edwin’s nephew, the son of his half-brother George Whitfield Bell and wife Mary Elizabeth Kellett brother of Thomas William 1889, Robert Henderson Whitfield Bell and Eleanor Bell 1892, also served during WW1. He was born November 18th 1897 at Pelton Fell, County Durham and at the time of his enlistment was unmarried and living at Allendale Houses, Pelton Fell.
Francis Bell was attested at Chester-le-Street and assigned as Private 76931 to the Army Service Corp. He remained in England before being posted as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force to Egypt, June 20th 1917 where he served until he was transferred to Class Z Army Reserve upon demobilisation March 27th 1919. Class Z Reserve was for men who had signed up for the duration of the war and would be oblige to return to active service should hostilities with Germany resume. He was married at Stratton in Cornwall in December 1933 to Bessie Sargent Nubbin (1899-1993), date of demise unknown.
His father George Whitfield Bell of Allendale House, Pelton Fell, died at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, December 28th 1925, probate February 19th 1926 to widow Mary Elizabeth Bell and son Thomas Whitfield Bell, Wesleyan minister. His mother died in 1934.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
The Heslop's Local Advertiser 22/09/1916 reports:
Military Medals
Sergt. John Hughes, Felling, D.L.I., has been awarded the Military Medal for great devotion to duty during the operations of July 5th to July 10th.
Corpl. E.I. Bell, R.E., Felling, has also been awarded the Military Medal.
