Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
ff
410683   Sergeant Richard Bell
Save as PDF
Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 31/12/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 38th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Canadian Army)
Date Of Birth: 04/03/1893
Died: 30/10/1917 (Killed in Action)
Age: 24
Summary      
Richard Bell was the son of William Bell. Richard was born on 4th March 1893 in Dromiskin, County Louth. He had an older brother, James Bell. By the time of the 1911 census, it seems the two brothers had moved to Castlecaulfield to work for their grandfather. The two brothers then emigrated to Canada. Richard enlisted on 21st May 1915 in Lindsay, Ontario. He joined the 59th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry. Sergeant Richard Bell was in killed in action near the town of Ypres in West Flanders, Belgium at the Battle of Passchendaele on 30th October 1917. He was 24 years old.
Further Information
Richard Bell was the son of William Bell. Richard was born on 4th March 1893 in Dromiskin, County Louth.
Known family: William Bell. James Bell (born about 1889). Richard Bell (born 4th March 1893).
The 1901 census lists Richard as age 10 living with family at house 2 in Newrath, Dromiskin, County Louth. His father was a farmer. His mother had died. He was still at school. He had an older brother, James Bell.
By the time of the 1911 census, it seems the two brothers had moved to Castlecaulfield to work for their grandfather John Burrows on his farm. John Burrows was 78 years old.
Richard served for 15 days in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
The two brothers, James and Richard Bell, then emigrated to Canada.
Richard was with the Royal Canadian Regiment for 27 days.
Before enlisting for a second time, Richard worked as a night watchman.
Richard enlisted for the second time on 21st May 1915 in Lindsay, Ontario. He joined the 59th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry. He was 5 feet 9 inches tall with grey eyes and black hair.
He gave his next of kin as his brother, who was by then living at 86 Shamnley Street, Toronto, Ontario.
Richard then transferred to the 38th Battalion in Barriefield, Ontario, on 22 June 1915 (number 410683). He served with the battalion during its period of garrison duty in Bermuda.
Richard Bell landed in France with the Battalion on 13 August 1916.
Sergeant Richard Bell was killed in action near the town of Ypres in West Flanders, Belgium at the Battle of Passchendaele on 30th October 1917. He was 24 years old.
The Canadian Circumstances of Death Register records that Sergeant Bell was killed in action on 30th October 1917 at Passchendaele.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 7th January 1918:
Private Richard Bell, Canadian Infantry, Terrenew, Castlecaulfield, killed.
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated Thursday 13 November 1919:
BELL – In loving memory of my dear brother, Sergeant Richard Bell, 38th Battalion, Canadians, killed in action at the Battle of Passchendaele, 30 October 1917, age 24 years.
'Not dead to us we loved him dearly
Not lost but gone before
He lives with us in memory
And will forever more'
Sadly missed by brother and sister-in-law James and Mrs Bell, 86 Shanly Street, Toronto, Canada.
Sergeant Richard Bell has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.
Sergeant Richard Bell is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial.
Read more
Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Terrenew, Castlecaulfield Castlecaulfield Census listing in Terrenew, Castlecaulfield 54.506832 -6.868443
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Bell family Lists Richard as age 10 living with the family at house 2 in Newrath, Dromiskin, Louth
2 1911 Census lists Bell family Lists Richard and James with grandfather at house 10 in Terrenew, Castlecaulfield, Tyrone
3 Canadian Great War Project Details of Sergeant Richard Bell
4 Canadian Virtual War Memorial Details of Sergeant Richard Bell
5 Circumstances of Death Registers Details of Sergeant Richard Bell's death
6 Richard Bell Attestation Papers Canadian Military documents (33 no.)
7 Soldiers of the 38th Service details of Sergeant Richard Bell
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023