Bell, Reginald Alfred

Bell Reginald Alfred

Private 12437, 3rd East Surrey Regiment died from gun shot to the head 16th July 1919 aged 18. Son of Major Otto Joseph Bell of 7,Palliser Court, Baron's Court, London and the late Sybil Ormond Bell

Notes taken from the Coroners report by G.G. Warburton, Deputy Coroner dated 18th July 1919

Reginald Alfred Bell L/12437, the East Surrey Regiment stationed at Clipstone Camp were on the 16th July 1919 shot by a rifle fired by Private 12314 G. Woodward of the same Regiment whereby he sustained injuries to the mouth and neck and died therefrom immediately at Clipstone Camp aforesaid and that the said Reginald Alfred Bell accidentally and by misadventure was son killed. That he was 18, and an Engineers Assistant of Manor House, Hampton on Thames

Brief notes from the Military Court of Enquiry

Private Woodward had in fact shot two soldiers at the same time, the other being Private 49137, C. Alexander shot through the right thigh which was sever and he will not be able to continue in the army.

On that fateful day Pte Woodward was cleaning his musket in his hut after he and other soldiers had returned from the Rifle Range at the camp. It was claimed by Woodward that he did have a miss-fire and that the bullet was left on the range. On this day at about 12-15 hrs he showed Pte 12458 H Hickman whilst still on the rifle range a round of ball ammunition with a dent in the cap and he then placed it in his jacket pocket. In their hut Woodward showed Pte 12455 C Ings the same ammunition. Private Bell was declared dead at the scene at 14-15hrs
Buried in St Alban churchyard, Forest Town, Nottinghamshire
He was training at Clipstone military training camp which was not far from this church