Bell,+James

James Binks Bell.
Army attestation sheet Dated 3rd April 1908 Service number: 198 - 6th Bn West Riding Regiment Age 22 years Trade: Fitter Employer: Hall and Stell 21, Prince Street, Haworth Previous service in 3rd Volunteer Battalion West Riding Regiment from 12th February 1907, joined at Haworth. Ends on 31st March 1908. Transfered to 6th Bn West Riding Regiment on 1st April 1908 until 4th November 1908. Training at Redcar from 26th July 1908 until 9th August 1908. Total territorial service 217 days. Total service 1 year and 264 days. Joined Special reserve 4th November 1908 at Skipton. Next of Kin: William Bell - Father and Elizabeth Bell - Mother, 21, Prince Street, Haworth. Discharged by Purchase from West Riding Regiment after three years service. Emigrated to Australia. Enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force 21st October 1914. Oath taken on 23rd October 1914 at Marrietville, News South Wales. Trade: Gear Hand - Apprenticed as a Textile Machinist 5 years. Service number 1126. Australian Army Service Corps. Age 26 years, 10 months. Next of Kin Alice Bell, 60, Arthur Street, Surry Hills, New South Wales. Height 5 feet 7, 1/2 inches. Weight 11 stone Chest 32/38 inches. Complexion: Sallow, Eyes: Blue, Hair: Brown. Religion: Church of England. 26th December 1915 transferred to 3rd bn AASC. Transferred to 1st Pioneer bn 17th March 1916. 3rd Pioneer Bn 24th March 1916. To France 22nd August 1917. 1st Pioneer Depot 27th August 1917. Amend rank to Driver 14th October 1917. Transferred to 1st ANZAC Corps for posting to MT unit. Driver H.T. T.O.S. of 4th Ammunition sub Pk from 1st Aust Gen Hosp. 26th October 1917. Driver to Hosp Sick 14th January 1918 Driver Rejoined unit 17th January 1918. Driver Proceeded to Admin Hdqrs London en route for Australia for discharge. 28th January 1918. 10th March 1918 returned to Australia on the S.S. Durham Castle for 'Family reasons' Authority: GOC AIF Awarded 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

James was the only one of five Bell brothers to survive the war, after his sister wrote a letter to the Australian authorities pleading for him to be sent home as his four brothers had all been killed in the war. Fortunately for James, the Australians agreed and he was released and sent home.

Bell, Herbert Bell, James Binks Bell, John William Bell, Joseph James Bell, Laurie

All four of the Bell brothers who died are named on the Haworth War Memorial and the main roll of honour in St Mary's church.