Bell, Charles
Ex-Sapper
No. 64178, Royal Engineers, 36th (Ulster) Division
Died of disease on Sunday 4 July 1920 (aged 57)
Buried:
Bangor Cemetery, Newtownards Road, Bangor, Co Down
Commemorated:
Bangor and District War Memorial
Royal British Legion (Bangor Branch) Memorial Plaque
Comrades of the Great War (Bangor Branch) Album in North Down Museum
BIOGRAPHY
According to his death certificate Charles Bell was 57 when he died on 4 July 1920 at 36 Prospect Road, Bangor as a result of a cerebral haemorrhage. That age would mean he was born around 1862/1863. His wife Mary was with him when he died.
Charles Bell was living at 345 Albertbridge Road Belfast when he enlisted on 30 January 1915 in Belfast. In his attestation papers it is noted that he was 38 years old and that age would mean he was born around 1877/1878. It was also noted that he was a stonemason (bricklayer) and he was 5 feet 5½ inches tall. He cited as his next-of-kin his wife Mary Bell (nee Aiken). He stated that they were married in 42nd Street Presbyterian Church.
During the First World War Charles Bell served as a Sapper with the Royal Engineers (No. 64178). He served on the Home Front from 30 January 1915 until 3 October 1915; in France from 4 October 1915 until 30 November 1915 and on the Home Front from 1 December 1915 until 29 June 1916 when he was discharged from the Army as being no longer physically fit for war service. His home address at that time was 40 Gray’s Hill, Bangor. For a time he was hospitalised in the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.
Ex-Sapper Charles Bell (No. 64178) died on 4 July 1920 at 36 Prospect Road, Bangor as a result of a cerebral haemorrhage and he was buried in Bangor Cemetery. His headstone bears the inscription:
Erected by Mary Bell in memory of her dearly beloved husband Charles Bell who died 4 July 1920 late Royal Engineers.
Mary Bell died on 27 June 1944 (aged 86) and she was buried in the same grave as her husband.
Ex-Sapper Charles Bell (No. 64178) is commemorated on Bangor and District War Memorial; on the Royal British Legion (Bangor Branch) Memorial Plaque and in the Comrades of the Great War (Bangor Branch) Album in North Down Museum (Page 28).