Private George Frederick Bell
George Frederick Bell was born on 22 November 1891 at 37 Farnham Street, Belfast, the first of four children of book keeper (later sample-maker and linen salesman) Robert Kirkwood Bell and his wife Clara Elizabeth Bell (née Gregory). His mother died soon after the birth of her fourth child when George was just eight years old. At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at 19 Willowholme Street, Belfast, with his father, step-mother, two brothers, two half-siblings and a great-aunt, and working as an apprentice in the linen business.
On 25 December that year he married Lilly Gilmore Reid in the May Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The couple had three children over the next three years.
Bell enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Belfast on 30 May 1917 (No.2464 – later Corps of Hussars No.71848). He was described as standing 5' 9½" tall, with a fresh complexion, fair hair and blue eyes. He gave his occupation as a draper.
He trained at the regiment's reserve base at Antrim, but was reported to have deserted on 23 January 1918. He must have rejoined the regiment, for later that year he embarked for France, posted to one of the squadrons of the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment. This regiment had served as corps cavalry to VII, XIX, then V Corps from its establishment in May 1916 until February-March 1918, when it was dismounted and converted to a cyclist unit. This meant a 25 per cent reduction in the regiment's numbers, and it may have been that Bell was transferred to a regular cavalry regiment at this time.
On 6 March 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.
After the war Bell worked as a clerk and finance officer in the Labour Exchange until July 1947, when he was convicted of stealing a substantial sum from the Exchange and sentenced to five years' imprisonment.
By 1966 he was living at 26 Kansas Avenue, Belfast. He died on 18 February that year and was buried in the Dundonald Cemetery. His wife Lilly died on 15 November.
Bell's brother, Edwin Victor Bell, also served in the war, in the North Irish Horse and Tank Corps.
It seems probable that Bell is the George F. Bell listed in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland's Roll of Honour as a 'trooper' in the North Irish Horse and 6th Dragoon Guards, living at 11 Chatsworth Street, Belfast, and a member of the McQuiston Memorial Congregation.
This page last updated 12 January 2024.