William Robinson Bell

[*Sandra*]

Commonwealth War Graves Commission are appealing for blood relatives of Lance Corporal William Robinson Bell - Border Regiment - Service No:- 1188 - Place of death was Infirmary Howgill Street.

Lance Corporal Bell is buried at Whitehaven Cemetery. Aged 25/26 years.

The Commission would like to make contact with the grave owner.  The Commission propose installing a headstone to commemorate him.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/216618522/william-robinson-bell

Whitehaven Cemetery
Whitehaven, Copeland Borough, Cumbria.
Plot Ward 2 - Section I - Grave 110

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

Could be this Bell family ...... 1911 - 6 Marin Street Frizington.

Herbert Gladstone Bell 24 Head
Sarah Jane Bell 20 Wife
William Robinson Bell   20   Boarder

This was his brother John Bell mentioned as next of kin on  UK, British Army World War I Pension Records 1914-1920

1911 - 4 Barkers Road. Frizington

Jane Conley   60   Head
James Conley 29 Son
Margaret Jane Conley 36 Daughter
John Thomas Bell 26 Son-in-law
William James Warwick 15 Grandson
Thomas Nelson Warwick 13 Grandson
James Montgomery Bell 22 Boarder
Sarah Anne Bell 4 Grandchild

Sandra

[Gigi]

He was born in 1890

William's birth was registered in the Jul-Aug-Sep quarter of 1890 in the Whitehaven district.
'''Birth Registration''':
"England & Wales General Register Office"<br/>
[https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/indexes_search.asp?index=EW_Birth&year=1890&range=0&surname=BELL&motherssurname=CRAIG&forename1=WILLIAM&forename2=ROBINSON&gender=M&quarter=S&district=WHITEHAVEN&volume=10B&page=668 GRO Online Indexes - Birth] (accessed 4 October 2024)
Bell, William Robinson (Mother's maiden name: Craig).
''GRO Reference:'' 1890 Jul-Aug-Sep in [https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/whitehaven.html Whitehaven] Volume 10B Page 668.

[Kloumann]

There is a Joseph Bell, MMN Craig regd Whitehaven, 1879

[*Sandra*]

1891 census 6 Patterson Building. Whitehaven.

Wilfred Bell   28 and Sarah Bell   27
John Bell   6 Herbert Bell   4
James Bell   2 William Bell   5 months

Marriages Sep 1884
   
BELL    Wilfred        Whitehaven    10b   828    
Craig    Sarah        Whitehaven    10b   828

Father died 1901 - Deaths Mar 1901   

Bell    Wilfred    38    Whitehaven    10b   431

Sandra

[*Sandra*]

Amazingly have made contact with the family, who I knew. 

Hopefully, they will be able to help CWGC.

Sandra

[Jos, Whitehaven]

The case of William Robinson BELL to be recognised as an official CWGC casualty was first submitted to them beginning in October 2015, including supporting documentary evidence, some extended family details and the cemetery records showing his grave location in Whitehaven Cemetery. His paternal grandfather was the Cemetery Keeper and this young land was living at the Cemetery Lodge at the time of the 1901 Census).
After an appeal on local and social media a distant relative was found (distant cousin). It seems another relative has contacted the CWGC (apparently a Great Nephew) but they don't give out details of who this is.
They have recently fitted the headstone (but they don't give out information about this until afterwards). A short ceremony of remembrance and dedication has been arranged to the memory of William BELL. Thanks to everyone who has taken an interest. These are important people to remember and this young man was a valued member of an extended family and community.
Lest We Forget. 

[*Sandra*]

Amazingly have made contact with the family, who I knew. 

Hopefully, they will be able to help CWGC.

Sandra

This was where the contact was made with the Great Nephew.

A photograph of the CWGC headstone was put on ancestry 13 th June 2025.

Brilliant result to show these men are not forgotten.

Sandra

[Jos, Whitehaven]

I've been keeping in touch with the CWGC, the council, RBL and others. We are having a short graveside service of dedication and remembrance for this lad. We had asked a number of times over the past 10 years if anyone knows of relatives and did hear from a distant cousin but not a Great Nephew.

For many years, several members of the Bell family looked after Whitehaven Cemetery.