Pte
Thomas Haddon Bell

Information about birth

Year of birth:
1898
Place of birth:
Leadgate, Durham, England, United Kingdom

General information

Last known residence:
Medomsley, Durham, England, England, United Kingdom
Profession:
Student

Army information

Country:
England, United Kingdom
Force:
British Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
26494
Enlistment place:
Consett, Durham, England, United Kingdom
Units:
 —  Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), 1/5th Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
20/11/1917
Place of death:
De Knoet Farm, Zonnebeke, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
19

Cemetery

Perth Cemetery (China Wall)
Plot: V
Row: J
Grave: 2

Distinctions and medals 2

Points of interest 4

#1 Place of birth
#2 Last known residence
#3 Enlistment place
#4 Place of death (approximate)

My story

Thomas Haddon Bell, a former student, was born in July 1898 in Leadgate, Durham, England. He was the son of Joseph Williamson Bell and Mary A. Bell. He enlisted in Consett, Durham. He served in the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment), 1/5th Battalion, part of the 147th (2nd West Riding) Brigade of the 49th (West Riding) Division.

On November 19, 1917, the battalion relieved the 1/5th West Yorkshire as battalion in support to left front line battalion on the divisional front on the Broodseinde Ridge just north of Beselare. A company was established at Tokio Ridge, B and C company were on the Westhoek Ridge and D company was on Anzac Ridge. On November 20, A Coy’s position on Tokio Ridge was heavily shelled most of the day. The other Coy’s were intermittently shelled during the day.

Thomas Haddon, aged 19, was killed in action on November 20, 1917. Private Bell was initially buried where he fell, near De Knoet Farm (28.D.28.b.20.30). After the war, his remains were exhumed and reinterred in the Perth China Wall Cemetery, Plot V, Row J, Grave 2.

Sources 3

1/5th West Riding Regiment (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 95/2800/4).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Sources used
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Sources used
War Office: Soldiers’ Documents, First World War (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 363).
https://www.ancestry.com/
Sources used

More information 3