BELL. William Smith [of Ordsall]

William Bell (centre, in uniform) came home from the trenches to attend this family wedding at Ordsall Church in August 1917

j. Pullen

Detail from the group photo above: So hasty was Pte Bell's return from the front mud from the trenches may be clearly seen on his hands

Pte, 305322, 1st/8th Bn. Sherwood Foresters

By Joanne Pullen

Born, Saxilby Lincolnshire on 11th January 1895

Died of wounds 13th september 1917, aged 22.

Buried at the Bethune Town Cemetery

Willie Bell (also known as Billy Wilkinson) died at the Hohenzollern Redoubt engagement.

A report in the Retford Times (28th September 1917) states that he was at his front post when he was severely wounded in the legs on the night of 12th September 1917.  His Lieutenant, E. J. Elly, wrote that "He was unconscious from the first.  Everything possible was done for him, but the shock evidently proved too much for his contitution and he passed away in the 33rd Clearing Station (Bethune) on 14th [September 1917].  Had he lived I am afraid he would have lost both his legs and been a helpless cripple".

Lieut. Elly goes on to say that "Private Bell was one of the best soldiers in my platoon and I can assure you he will be greatly missed"