Pte 34151 Edmund Lancaster Bell

• Age: 22
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: 10 KSLI
• Died on Tuesday 31st December 1918
• Commemorated at: St Sever Cem Ext
  Panel Ref: S.IV.J.17

Edmund was born in Kirkdale, Liverpool, on 4th July 1896, and baptised on 30th  August 1896 in St. Paul’s, North Shore Kirkdale, with his twin brother Francis.  At his baptism he was given the Christian names Charles Edmund Lancaster, although no other records show Charles. Their parents were living at 6 Iris Street, and their father’s occupation is fireman. His parents, Frank Bell and Margaret Turnbull we’re married on 19 Jun 1895, in St. Mary’s, Kirkdale.  His father was born in Yorkshire, and his mother in Carlisle.  They had four other children: younger brother Harry, and younger sisters Dora, Ada, and June.

In 1901 the family is living at 6 Iris Street, Kirkdale, with four children. His father is a railway locomotive fireman. Edmund and Francis are 4, Harry is 2, and Dora is 8 months old.

By 1911 they have moved to 5 Miranda Road, Bootle. His father Frank, 44, is a railway engine driver. Edmund and Francis, 14, are both post office messengers. Harry, 12, Dora, 10, and Ada, 6: are at school. Jane is 4. They have a boarder, Walter Wackett, who is also a railway engine driver. 

His father died in 1912 when Edmund was 16.  

Edmund enlisted in Liverpool joining the 17th Battalion as Private 24865. He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th 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. He arrived in France on 8^th November 1915. 

Edmund was listed among the wounded reported in the Liverpool Post & Mercury on 2nd August 1916. This was most likely following the the attack on Guillemont on 30/07/1916. Edmund was transferred to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, as Private 62406, after recuperating from his wounds. He was further transferred to the 10th Bn of King's Shropshire Light Infantry as Private 34151.

Edmund was wounded during the fighting around the  Villers Faucon - Ste Emilie area  between 6-8 September 1918. Sadly he died of wounds on 31/12/1918, aged 22, after the war had ended. His headstone bears the epitaph:

"IN A FOREIGN GRAVE MY LOVED ONE SLEEPS HIS DUTY NOBLY DONE".

Edmund earned his three medals. His mother, Margaret Bell, at 41 Daisy St., Kirkdale, received Edmund’s effects, including a War Gratuity of £23, and a pension of 8/- a week.

His twin brother Francis lived until 1974.

Edmund is commemorated on the following memorials - 

Bootle Civic Memorial

Liverpool Main Post Office memorial now situated at Met Quater shopping centre Liverpool which is the site of the old Post Office building. 

Daisy Street School (now in Kirkdale Primary school, Fonthill Road)

Liverpool’s Hall of Remembrance.

 

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