Pte 17786 Cyril Moncrieffe Bell

• Age: 22
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Friday 12th May 1916
• Commemorated at: Suzanne Cc Ext
  Panel Ref: G.14

Cyril Moncrieffe Bell was born on the 22nd September 1894, the seventh of eight children born to John Carruthers Bell, an accountant, and his wife Sophia Emellie (née Le Court) who were married on the 12th August 1877 at St Thomas' Church, Heaton Chapel, Stockport. John was a 21 year old clerk of Everton, his father, William Moncrieffe, was a commercial traveller, whilst Sophia was aged 21 of Heaton Norris, her father, Frederick. was a book keeper. He was the youngest of their four sons and was baptised on the 27th July 1896 at St Margaret’s Church, Anfield.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 11 St Andrew Road, Liverpool. His father, John Carruthers, is aged 45, born in 1856 in Liverpool and he is employed as a Company accountant, his wife, Sophia Emily, is aged 43, with no occupation listed and she was also born in Liverpool. They have seven children living at the home address; Beatrice is aged 21, born in 1880 in Manchester is a dressmaker, Constance, is aged 19, born in 1882 is a shop assistant in a fancy goods shop, Olga, is aged 17, born in 1884 is a school teacher, John, is aged 14, and is a shipbrokers apprentice, Bertrand/Bertram, is aged 12, born in 1889, Vera, is aged 9, born in 1892 and Cyril Moncrieffe, is aged 6, born in 1895 and they were all born in Liverpool.

The 1911 Census shows the family still living at 11 St Andrew Road, Liverpool. His father, John Carruthers, is aged 57, and he is employed as an accountant, his wife, Sophia Emily, is aged 56, with no occupation listed.  They advised that they have been married for 34 years and have had eight children. Four of their children are still at home at the taking of the Census; Constance  isaged 29, and is a shop assistant at a hairdresser's, Bertram, is aged 22, and is a clerk at a mill, Vera, is aged 19 and is a book-keeper in an undertakers, and Cyril Moncrieffe is aged 16, and is a shipping clerk. They also have a visitor at the address Florrie Bell, aged 10, born 1901 and she is at school.     

On 03rd September 1914, he enlisted at Liverpool, joining the 19th Battalion as Private 17786  giving his age as 19 years and 346 days, and his occupation as a clerk. He had previously been an apprentice at Culliford, Clark and Co., steam-ship brokers. He was described as being five feet eight inches tall, weighed 135lbs, with a 34" chest, he was of a fresh complexion, with grey eyes, and brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England and his next of kin as his father, John C. Bell, of 7 Bingley Road, Liverpool. 

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

On 26^th May 1915 at Belton Park he was admonished for being absent from tattoo roll call; on 20^th June 1915 he was again admonished for being AWOL for 24 hours; and at Larkhill on 22^nd October 1915 was given 2 days CB for being absent from physical drill parade for bomb throwers.

On 07^th November 1915 he arrived in France, earning all 3 medals, and on 12^th May 1916, according to his service record, was killed in action aged 22 years, as reported by Reverend R. W. Ballemein, chaplain attached to 90^th Light Infantry Battalion, and he now rests at Suzanne Communal Cemetery Extension, Grave G 14.

The village of Suzanne was taken over by British troops in the summer of 1915, lost in March 1918, and recaptured by the 3rd Australian Division on the following 26th August. The Extension was begun by French troops, used by the British from August 1915 to January 1917, taken over by the Germans in March 1918, and resumed by British units in August and September 1918. The graves of 387 French and 71 German soldiers have been removed to other cemeteries. There are now over 150, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. The Extension covers an area of 981 square metres and is enclosed on three sides by a low rubble wall.

Graham Maddocks gives his date of death as 02^nd May 1916.

In Memoriam Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury dated 14th May 1917:

BELL-- In sad but loving memory of Private Cyril Bell (K.L.R.) killed in action May 12, 1916, the dearly-beloved youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Bell. 7, Bingley road, Anfield.

BELL-- In sad but loving memory of Cyril Moncrieffe, the dearly-beloved youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Bell. and the much loved brother of V. Rimmer killed in action May 12, 1916.  

In Memoriam Liverpool Echo dated 13th May 1918:

BELL-- In loving rememberance of CYRIL MONCRIEFFE (our "Syd"), the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Bell, who was killed in action 12 May, 1916-- Never forgotten by Ruth and Ted.

BELL-- In loving rememberance of CYRIL (Syd.), killed in action May 12, 1916, the dearly loved brother of F.M. Rimmer (always remembered.)

BELL-- In loving memory of CYRIL, the dearly beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Bell, 7, Bingley road, Anfield, killed in action, May 12, 1916, "Sans Changer".   

His Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £4 8s 9d and a War Gratuity of £7 10s went to his father John C. His mother received a pension but no amount is stated. His medals were sent to his father and a letter dated 1st April 1919, written by Records Office at Preston, presumably in response to an enquiry by Cyril’s father, said that it had “been decided to present a plaque and scroll to the next of kin of deceased soldiers as a solace for the bereavement suffered and as a memento”. The writer gave the assurance that the plaques were not yet ready but “will be sent”. 

On the 1921 Census at 7 Bingley Road,his father, John is aged 64, and an accountant, his mother, Sophia, is aged 63. 

Cyril is commemorated at Holy Trinity Church Anfield.

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