Corporal Randal Bell
Randal Bell was born on 8 December 1894 at Ardbree, Portadown, County Armagh, the fourth of eight children of schoolmaster (later science professor) John Bell and his wife Ella Clark Bell (née Johnson). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living in Belmont Terrace, Circular Road North, Glasnevin, Dublin, with his parents and six of his siblings.
Bell enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 26 November and 2 December 1915 (No.2004). He trained at the regiment's Antrim reserve depot before embarking for France in 1916 or the first half of 1917, where he was posted to one of the squadrons of the 1st or 2nd North Irish Horse Regiments.
In August-September 1917 the 2nd NIH Regiment was disbanded and its men, together with some surplus to the needs of the 1st NIH Regiment, were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Bell, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt five days later. Bell was issued regimental number 41458.
He probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917.
During 1918 he applied for a commission and returned to the UK for officer cadet training (possibly with the Royal Engineers). His commission, however, had not come through by the end of the war.
After the war Bell lived in England and worked as a civil servant. On 15 September 1930 he married Ethel Mary Steeds at All Saints Church, East Sheen, Mortlake, Surrey. He died at Glanvilles Wooton, Dorset, on 30 September 1978.
At least two of Bell's brothers also served in the war: John as a 2nd lieutenant in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers; and Joseph as a captain in the Army Veterinary Corps (he was mentioned in despatches).