On the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France is the name of W/639 Serjeant John Joseph Bell, D.C.M., serving with the No. 3 Company 13th Battalion Cheshire Regiment who died 07/07/1916.
The son of John Joseph and Beatrice Bell and the husband of Annie Harriet Bell, of 109, Norman Street, Birkenhead.
Ron Carson has provided the following:
John was born on 30 April 1889 at Newcastle upon Tyne, the son of John Joseph and Beatrice (nee Walker).
He married Annie Harriet Gooding in the second quarter of 1915 at Birkenhead, Cheshire. They lived at 8 Merton Road, Liscard Wallasey, Birkenhead (former of 109 Norman Street, Birkenhead) with their daughter, Beatrice, who was born on 27th February 1916.
John enlisted at Birkenhead and served with No.3 Company, 13th Cheshire Regiment. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for rescuing Lt. Gilbert Whit-White and another soldier three days later, his citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry on 4th October 1915, near Le Touquet. While in charge of a wiring party an officer was wounded. Serjeant Bell, though under a heavy rifle fire the whole time, went to his assistance, and, with the help of another man, carried him back into the trench. On the 7th October an enemy shell demolished the parapet of our trench and buried a Corporal. Serjeant Bell at once went to his assistance, and, with the aid of another man, dug the Corporal out, being under a heavy rifle fire all the time. (29 November 1915).
The Croydon Times 27/05/1916 reports:-
Promoted on the Field
Signal Honour for South Norwood Soldier.
From the Ranks to Commission.
Four Sons to be Proud Of.
There is great gratification in the house of Mr. J. J. Bell, of 18, Brocklesby-rd., South Norwood. It has just been learned that his second son. Henry, has been promoted on the field from the rank of sergeant to that of second lieutenant for merit and devotion to duty.
Second Lieut. Bell was in the regular army prior to the war. having joined the 2nd Yorkshire Regiment about six years ago. He very quickly obtained his sergeant’s stripes, and eventually did duty as orderly-room clerk. On October 14th, 1914 he left with his regiment for France. and there he has been in and out of the trenches ever since. Some weeks ago he was mentioned in dispatches for notable devotion to duty.
The honour he has won brought the heartiest congratulations from all ranks in his regiment. In addition to assurances of their appreciation, his Colonel presented him with a silver cigarette case. and his adjutant made him a gift of a fountain pen. The newly-made officer is now transferred to the 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment and is engaged “somewhere in France.”
Mr. Bell, senior, has very good reason to be proud of his sons. He has three others serving King and Country at the moment. The eldest John Joseph Bell, it may be remembered, succeeded in gaining the coveted D.C.M. last December whilst serving as lance-sergeant in the 13th Battalion Cheshire Regiment. Another son, William, is aboard H.M.S. Indefatigable, and the fourth, Andrew, is engaged in strenuous duties on a transport collier in South Africa.
Not only South Norwood. but the whole borough of Croydon will warmly congratulate Mr. Bell on this other fine honour that has fallen to his family.
His brother William died on HMS Indefatigable in 1916 and Henry died in 1917.
John Joseph Bell is not remembered on a local War Memorial.
