Eric Norman Frankland Bell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eric Norman Frankland Bell
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 28 August 1895 Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland |
| Died | 1 July 1916 (aged 20) Thiepval, France |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1916 † |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 9th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Eric Norman Frankland Bell (born August 28, 1895 – died July 1, 1916) was a very brave Irish soldier. He received the Victoria Cross (VC). This is the highest and most important award for courage given to soldiers in the British and Commonwealth forces. He was a soldier with The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers during World War I. He was given the VC after he died, for his amazing actions on July 1, 1916. This was during the very famous Battle of the Somme.
Contents
Early Life and School
Growing Up in Ireland and England
Eric Norman Frankland Bell was born on August 28, 1895. His birthplace was Enniskillen, in County Fermanagh, Ireland. His parents were Edward and Dora Bell. Eric was one of four children in the family.
His father was also an officer in the British Army's Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. When Eric was born, his father was serving far away in Burma. Later, his father's army group moved to Cheshire, England. So, Eric's family moved to Warrington, where he went to school.
The family later moved again, this time to Liverpool. Eric finished his schooling there. After that, he went to Liverpool University. He studied architecture, which is the art of designing buildings.
World War I Service
Joining the Army
When World War I started in August 1914, Eric Bell decided to join the army. He volunteered for the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. This was the same army group his father was in. His father was an important officer in the 9th Battalion of the regiment.
In September 1914, Eric became a second lieutenant. This is a junior officer rank. He was first sent to the regiment's 6th Battalion. Later, he moved to the 8th Battalion, and then finally to the 9th Battalion. Eric's two brothers also joined the regiment. One brother had moved to the United States, and the other to Australia, but they both came back to serve.
Fighting on the Western Front
In October 1915, Eric's 9th Battalion went to France. They were part of the 36th (Ulster) Division. They served on the Western Front. This was a very important battle line in the war.
By July of the next year, Eric had been promoted to temporary captain. He was in charge of a special team that used trench mortars. These were small cannons that fired bombs over short distances.
Heroic Actions at the Somme
On July 1, 1916, a huge battle began. It was called the Battle of the Somme. Captain Bell was moving forward with the other soldiers near a village called Thiepval. Their goal was to capture a German stronghold.
Suddenly, a German machine gun stopped their advance. Captain Bell bravely went forward by himself. He found the machine gunner and shot him, clearing the way. Later, other groups of soldiers were also stopped. They were trying to clear enemy trenches with bombs. Each time, Captain Bell went forward alone. He threw trench mortar bombs at the enemy.
When he ran out of bombs, he stood on the edge of the trench. Even though there was heavy enemy fire, he calmly used his rifle. He shot at enemy soldiers who were trying to counter-attack. Sadly, he was killed while trying to gather and reorganize soldiers whose officers had been lost. His brave actions went far beyond his normal duties. He gave his life showing incredible dedication.
The Victoria Cross Award
Because of his amazing bravery, Eric Bell was given the Victoria Cross (VC). This award was created in 1856. It is the highest award for courage a soldier in the British Empire can receive.
The official statement about his award said: "For most conspicuous bravery. He was in command of a Trench Mortar Battery, and advanced with the Infantry in the attack. When our front line was hung up by enfilading machine gun fire Captain Bell crept forward and shot the machine gunner. Later, on no less than three occasions, when our bombing parties, which were clearing the enemy's trenches, were unable to advance, he went forward alone and threw Trench Mortar bombs among the enemy. When he had no more bombs available he stood on the parapet, under intense fire, and used a rifle with great coolness and effect on the enemy advancing to counter-attack. Finally he was killed rallying and reorganising infantry parties which had lost their officers. All this was outside the scope of his normal duties with his battery. He gave his life in his supreme devotion to duty."
Eric Bell's body was never found. So, he does not have a known grave. His name is listed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing. This memorial is near Thiepval in France. His brothers survived the war, even though both were wounded. His parents passed away soon after the war ended.
Remembering a Hero
Memorials and Tributes
There are several places that remember Eric Bell. His name is on the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers memorial in Belfast. He is also listed on the King's Garden Memorial in Bootle. Another memorial is in Enniskillen, his hometown.
There is a special plaque on the house where his family used to live in Liverpool. Also, a blue plaque marks the house where he was born. This house is at 1 Alma Terrace in Enniskillen.
The Victoria Cross Today
King George V himself presented Eric Bell's Victoria Cross to his father. This happened on November 29, 1916, at Buckingham Palace. Later, the VC was owned by Eric's sister. She had moved to New Zealand in 1933. She also had his 1914–15 Star medal. However, the location of his other medals, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, is not known.
In 1999, a relative named Air Marshal Sir Richard Bolt offered the VC to the museum of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Sir Richard Bolt used to be the Chief of Defence Staff in New Zealand. The medal was given to the museum in February 2001. You can see it displayed there today.
