Pte 46630 Watson Bell

• Age: 38
• From: Whitehaven
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• D.O.W Tuesday 30th April 1918
• Commemorated at: Arneke British Cem
  Panel Ref: I.E.9

Watson Bell was born in the first quarter of 1880 in Whitehaven, the son of Watson Bell and his wife Elizabeth (nee Swainson), of Whitehaven, Cumberland who married in the third quarter of 1855 .

The 1881 Census finds Watson as a 1 year old child living with his parents and four elder siblings at Guinea Warehouse, Whitehaven. His father, Watson, is a warehouseman (druggists) born in 1833 at Whitehaven, whilst his mother, Elizabeth, was born in Whitehaven in 1834. His siblings, all born in Whitehaven, are listed as; Basil b.1863, Thomas b.1865, Walter b.1868 and Janet Carr b.1873.    

The 1891 Census shows the family are still living at Guinea Warehouse. Watson is now a scholar aged 11. His parents are both present in the household as are his siblings Thomas Swainson Bell and Janet Carr Bell.

There were three early deaths in the family, William Henry died in 1872 aged 1, the first Watson died in 1877 aged 20 and Basil died in 1887 aged 24.

His father died in the March quarter of 1898, aged 65.  

By 1901 Watson now 21 and an electrical engineer is living with his widowed mother Elizabeth at 41 Lowther Street, Whitehaven.  

His mother died in the September quarter of 1907, aged 71. 

He can't be found on the 1911 census but SDGW state his residence was Liverpool, and that he enlisted in Seaforth.

Watson was serving in the 17^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 46630 when he died of wounds on the 30th April 1918, aged 38, during the German Spring Offensive. 

He now rests at Arneke Military Cemetery, France.

The cemetery was begun by the 13th Casualty Clearing Station which moved to Arneke from the Proven area in October 1917. It was joined by the 10th and 44th Clearing Stations in April 1918. The cemetery was used by these hospitals until the end of May, and again from July to September 1918 by the 62nd (1/2nd London) Clearing Station. In November it was used for a short time by the 4th and 10th Stationary Hospitals. A few French soldiers were buried from clearing stations in April 1918 and French units buried in Plots IV and V at the north-west end of the cemetery, mainly in May and June 1918. Arneke British Cemetery contains 435 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and five from the Second World War. There are also 126 French and five German war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.

He was reported to have died of wounds in the Weekly Casualty List published on 18th June 1918.

Soldier Effects to brothers George A., Thomas S., sisters Mrs Margaret Wilson, Mrs Janet C. James, nieces Mrs Elizabeth Lancaster, Miss Ada W. Bell, Miss Sallie Bell, Mrs Elizabeth A. Bell.

No Pension record was found.

We currently have no further information on Watson Bell, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.