On Chatham Naval Memorial is the name of J/37902 Ordinary Seaman William Bell, serving on H.M.S. Indefatigable with the Royal Navy who died 31/05/1916.
Ron Carson has provided the following:
William was born on 31st May 1898 at Newcastle upon Tyne, the son of John Joseph and Beatrice (nee Walker).
William enlisted on 7th April 1915 with the Royal Navy and served on H.M.S. Indefatigable. He was killed in action on 31 May 1916 when the ship was “sunk at the Battle of Jutland hit several times in the first few minutes of ‘run to south’. Shells from the German battlecruiser Van der Tann. Only 3 of 1013 survived.
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.
The Croydon Times 24/06/1916 reports:-
THE SUPREME CALL.
Another Gallant Croydon Sailor
ON THE “INDEFATIGABLE.”
Lost on His 18th Birthday.
FAMILY’S PROUD RECORD.
News of the death of another gallant, Croydon sailor- Seaman William Bell—who went down with his ship, the “Indefatigable,” in the great North Sea battle, is made known. The sailor was one of the four sons—all bravely doing their bit for King and country—of Mr. John Joseph Bell, a retired telegraphist. of Brocklesby-road South Norwood.
A pathetic circumstance is quit the young seaman met his end on his eighteenth birthday, a day which he often talked of and looked forward to as the date on which he would become a “man” in the Navy, and when he would really commence the period of twelve years’ service for which he joined.
Seaman Bell was determined, like his brothers, to do what he could for his country, and endeavoured to join the Army. But he was, however then one inch short of the standard height, so, with his father’s consent, he joined the Navy a year ago last April. He was sent into special training on H.M.S. “Powerful.” being subsequently transferred to H.M.S. ” Indefatigable,” where he did duty, in the Cat Squadron, till the last. The plucky youth was a sturdily-built boy, and had all the makings of a real jolly tar, being active, intelligent, and jovial, and a general all round favourite. To commemorate his son’s birthday Mr. Bell forwarded him a present but this the young seaman never received as it has since been returned to his father.
The record of Mr. Bell’s sons, as our readers are aware, is a distinguished one. His second son, Henry, was promoted on the field from the rank of sergeant to that of Second Lieutenant for merit and devotion to duty; the eldest John Joseph, won the D.C.M. last December whilst serving as a Lance-sergeant with the 13th Battalion Cheshire Regiment: another son Andrew, is serving on a transport collier: William has now answered the supreme call.
The sympathy of the whole neighbourhood is extended to the young sailor’s family.
His brothers John Joseph and Henry both died in WW1.
William Bell is remembered in our List of Ships’ Crews.
