Cpl 53085 Frank Percival Bell

 

Before Frank’s birth, on the 1891 census, his parents were living in Kingston.  His father is 24, an engineer, his mother is 25, Reginald is 3, and Samuel 2.  Also in the household are his 60 year old grandmother, Ann Read, a dressmaker, and visitor Mary Ann Bell, 36, single, born in Dorset (likely a relative).

 

When Frank was two years old, in 1894, his mother died, at the age of 28.  His father remarried in 1896, to the Mary Ann Bell who was visiting on the previous census.

 

In 1901 the family is living in Willoughby Road, Kingston.  His father is 33, an engine fitter, stepmother Mary Ann is 46, William is 13, Bertram 11, and Frank is 10.  

 

Frank has not been found on the 1911 census.  His father, Mary Ann and brother Samuel are living at 30 Beresford Road, Kingston.  His father, 43, is an engineer’s fitter, agricultural engineers, his stepmother is 55, Samuel is 21, a gas fitter.  

 

Although Frank’s military record has not survived, the East Surrey Regiment attestation is indexed for F. P. Bell, address 30 Beresford Road, Kingston upon Thames.  Frank attested in the 10th Bn on 25th November 1915, with service number 7539; his age is given as 25 years, 6 months (based on his birth registration he would have been 24 and a half), occupation salesman, height 5’8” and weight 130 lbs.  This service number is different from that given on SDGW (18030).  He achieved the rank of Corporal. He was subsequently transferred to the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment with the new service number of 53085.


"DEARLY LOVED" 

During the First World War, Commonwealth camps and hospitals were stationed on the southern outskirts of Rouen. A base supply depot and the 3rd Echelon of General Headquarters were also established in the city.

Almost all of the hospitals at Rouen remained there for practically the whole of the war. They included eight general, five stationary, one British Red Cross and one labour hospital, and No. 2 Convalescent Depot. A number of the dead from these hospitals were buried in other cemeteries, but the great majority were taken to the city cemetery of St. Sever. In September 1916, it was found necessary to begin an extension, where the last burial took place in April 1920.

The Cemetery and the Extension adjoin each other but have separate Registers.

During the Second World War, Rouen was again a hospital centre and the extension was used once more for the burial of Commonwealth servicemen, many of whom died as prisoners of war during the German occupation.

The cemetery extension contains 8,348 Commonwealth burials of the First World War (ten of them unidentified) and in Block "S" there are 328 from the Second World War (18 of them unidentified). There are also 8 Foreign National burials here. The adjoining St. Sever Cemetery contains 3,082 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There is also 1 French burial and 1 non war service burial here.

The extension was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield. 

Probate records show that on 01st November 1917 Probate was granted to William Bell.

The pension card, in the name of his stepmother Mrs. Mary A. Bell, 30 Beresford Road, shows that a pension of 8/5d a week was awarded.

 

Frank’s Army effects and a War Gratuity of £5-10s went to executor William Bright.

 

In September 1939 his father, 72, and stepmother, 84, are still living at 30 Beresford Road, with brother William, his wife and son.  His father died in 1940, aged 72, leaving his estate to sons William Reginald and Bertram Samuel, and his stepmother in 1945.