James William BELL

23 April 1915

LOW BENTHAM - Obituary

The village lost another familiar figure in the person of Mrs. John Bell, who passed away at her home in Main Street, Low Bentham, early on Tuesday morning, in her 53rd year. The deceased's health broke down about a week before her death on receiving news that her second son (Mr. James Bell) a private in the 6th Battalion of the West Riding Duke of Wellington's Regiment, was to leave England for foreign service. Medical aid was obtained, but she died very suddenly early on Tuesday morning, the cause being heart failure. The announcement came as a surprise to most of the villagers, by whom she was much respected. She was a native of Halifax, and prior to coming to reside at Low Bentham in August, 1905, she had lived at The Crossings, Lower Tatham, for many years. She leaves a husband and a family of four sons and three daughters to mourn her loss, for whom much sympathy is felt. The interment took place at the Bentham Parish Church yesterday (Thursday).

28 May 1915

LOW BENTHAM - News from Low Bentham Soldier

Private James Bell, of the 6th Battalion of the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, in a letter dated May 15th to the Rev. Percy Coates, of Bentham Rectory, describes his experiences since going to France and adds:-

"I am writing this letter from the trenches, in which we have been three times, this being our third and I didn't half feel like running and running the first time here, but however I got safely in. Trench life is rather different to what I expected it would be. You are fairly safe from rifle bullets so long as you keep your head below the parapet; you don't want to be curious, you know; it is attacks and shell fire which do the damage. I have never yet been right under shrapnel fire, but I have been close to where they have, and if only the people of England could see houses gutted, homes wrecked, and burnt to the ground, they would wake up to the fact that this is war, and mighty war too. Well, Rector, I received a rough blow when I heard of my mother's death. It came just when my spirits were a little low, but I am glad to say I am again in good spirits, trusting in Him who made us to bring me safely home again. All of us here take the war with a smile, but at the back of our minds we are daily praying for our safety and those beside us. It makes a man think, and think hard sometimes. I hope you will let the class which I belong know that I am quite well and in good spirits, hoping they are all the same. I can just fancy that I see them coming together on Sundays."

17 September 1915

BELL - On or about August 18th, killed in action. Pte. James William Bell, 1/6 Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment, formerly of Low Bentham.

17 September 1915

BELL - In loving memory of Private James William Bell, 1st 6th Went Riding Regiment, who has been killed in action in France.

"He is lying in a distant land,
We know not how nor where;
But oh! We hope God took his soul
Unto His loving care."

From his sorrowful Father, Sisters, and Brothers, Low Bentham.

17 September 1915

THE SECOND LOW BENTHAM VICTIM

The news received in the district two or three weeks ago that Private James Wm. Bell, of 'C' Company 1st 6th Battalion of the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment had been killed in action on or about August 18th, was confirmed last Friday afternoon, when Mr. Wm. Bell, his father, received information from the Territorial Force Record Office, York, that he had been 'killed in action.'

The news was received with a deep feeling of sorrow by the villagers and many inhabitants of the district, for in Pte. Bell they have lost a young man of much promise. He was the second son of Mr. Wm. Bell, of Low Bentham, and formerly of the 'Crossings,' Lower Tatham. He was 23 years of age, and was rather of a quiet disposition who won the esteem and respect of all those who knew him, and much sympathy is felt for his father, sisters, and brothers in their sad loss.

Pte. Bell joined his regiment at Skipton on December 7th, 1914, and after being billeted there for about three weeks he was transferred to Doncaster, where he remained until April 13th, when his company left England for France. During the time he was out in France the letters which he wrote home and also to his friends were always of a very interesting character.

He was an old boy of Lower Tatham School, and at the time of enlisting he was employed as assistant shopkeeper by the Bentham Co-operative Society at their branch shop at Low Bentham, which he had been associated with since March, 1907, a term of nearly 8½ years, and in him the Society have lost a very faithful servant. Prior to working at the Co-operative Stores he was employed at the Silk Mill, Low Bentham. He was a member of the Bentham Parish Church Young Men's Bible Class.

Although he had not so much time to take an interest in the life of the village, he was, during recent years, a member of both the Cricket and Football Club. At the Victoria Institute he will be greatly missed, for he was a member of the Games Committee, for which he officiated as Hon. Secretary for a short period. He was also one of their most prominent billiard players. As a last mark of respect the flag at the Victoria Institute and Public Hall was hoisted half-mast on the day that this sorrowful news was received.

On Tuesday morning a person in Low Bentham received a letter from Nicholas Geldard, 2nd Lieutenant, 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, dated 12th September, 1915, confirming the rumour that Pte. J. W. Bell was killed in the trenches about a fortnight ago. "We were very sorry indeed to lose him - a steady hard working lad ready to do his duty for his country under any sort of unpleasant conditions. We can only put implicit trust in the Divine wisdom, and hope that it will please Him to put an end to this bloody war as soon as possible. - Signed, Yours faithfully, NICHOLAS GELDARD."

24 September 1915

HIGH BENTHAM - IN MEMORY OF THE BRAVE

On Tuesday last a memorial service was held at St Margaret's Church for those who from Bentham had fallen in the war. An early communion service was held and was very impressively conducted by the Vicar, about 30 communicants being present.

In the evening, service was held at 7-30 and there was a large congregation. Many had relatives at the Front and several old soldiers were present. The Alter flowers and white cross were a token of loving friendship from the Vicar and his family, the cross being entwined with the colours of 'The King's Own,' blue and orange, and was suspended over the late Capt. Morrison's seat in the chancel. It acted as a dual tribute, for Private Edward Magoolagan belonged also to the King's Own, and the same company as Captain Morrison. A magnificent wreath of choice roses was affixed to Capt. Morrison's stall before evensong as 'a loyal tribute to a gallant soldier,' from R.D. and W.E. Representatives from the King's Own Lancasters expressed their regret at being unable to attend.

The Rev. G.H.C. Bartley, the vicar, took for his text, 'Fight the good fight and lay hold of eternal life.' He said it was just three years that night since three friends separated at his last parish, one to go to the far East, he (the Vicar) to come to Bentham, and Captain Morrison to remain at Sacriston. He wished to make mention of the two others who had fallen at the Front, namely Private E. Magoolagan and Private James Bell. They must all sympathise with their relatives and friends, and pray that they might be comforted in this time of their great sorrow. The unselfish faithfulness of Captain Morrison was a very marked characteristic. He was called to serve the church in his last parish. At the outbreak of war he was called to serve his country, and now he was called to the highest service of all.

At the close the National Anthem was sung and Miss Stubbs, the organist, played the Dead March in Saul very impressively.

19 November 1915

LOW BENTHAM'S ROLL OF HONOUR

Low Bentham has responded to the Country's call for men better than the majority of the villages in the district. The framed Roll of Honour at the Bentham Parish Church now contains 65 names, and the following have still to be added:-Mr. Edw. Downham, Mr. Tom Carter, Mr. Robert Carter, Mr. Albert Townley, Mr. Percy Prince and Mr. Albert Brayshaw, making a total of 71, while no fewer than seven of the village young men have been rejected. Two of the village lads, namely Private James W. Bell and Private David Nelson, have been killed in action, and three have been discharged through being unfit for further service.

Amongst the families who are doing their bit is that of the late Mr. Thos. Carter and Mrs. Carter, of Oysterber House, Low Bentham, who are represented by their following four sons:-Pte. John Carter, the eldest son, joined the R.A.M.C. at Leeds on March 13th this year. He was a silk dresser at the Silk Mill, Low Bentham, he having worked there for nearly fourteen years.

Sergeant James Carter, of the 2nd British Columbia Regiment, is the second son. He emigrated in March, 1912, to Arrow Lakes, British Columbia, and on the day that war was declared he enlisted at Victoria, in British Columbia, and after being in training for a few months he came over to England with a contingent, arriving here about the middle of last March. After being stationed at Shorncliffe Camp, near Folkestone, a short time he went out to France with his Company, and about the latter end of May he was wounded. After being invalided home, he returned to Shorncliffe Camp, where he was transferred into the clerical department, and afterwards promoted from the rank of a private to a sergeant.

Pte. Tom Carter and Private Robert Carter, the third and youngest son respectively, both joined the Royal Fusiliers at Lancaster last Saturday, and they left Low Bentham on Wednesday, along with Mr. Albert Townley.

24 March 1916

MEMORIAL SERVICE AT LOW BENTHAM

On Sunday afternoon at the Bentham Parish Church, a special memorial service for the three Low Bentham boys who have fallen in the war was held. Owing to the unfavourable weather that prevailed the congregation was smaller than usual. In making reference to the boys, the Rector (Rev. Percy Coates) said he did not know much about Private David Nelson, as he did not live in Low Bentham long. As regards Private James W. Bell, not a finer and more straightforward lad ever stepped; and Private Maurice R. Bolton - five weeks' ago he (the Rector) shook hands with him and he was in good spirits. He came all the way from Canada to do his duty for his country. A better and more straightforward lad one ever could wish to see. Both James Bell and Maurice Bolton were bright lads. The Rector asked all the congregation to join in prayer, and the service was very impressive. Mr. Edward Holmes very effectively rendered a solo entitled 'Behold the Dawn.'