Lieutenant Frederick William Bell

Service number 8
Ranks Held Lieutenant, Private
Birth Date 1875-04-03
Birth Place Australia: Western Australia, Perth
Death Date 1954-04-28
Death Place United Kingdom: England, Bristol
Final Rank Lieutenant
Service Army
Units
  • 1st Western Australian Mounted Infantry
  • 6th Western Australian Mounted Infantry
Places
Conflict/Operation South Africa, 1899-1902 (Boer War)
Gazettes Biographical information They dared mightily. in 1963
Published in London Gazette in 1901-10-04
Published in London Gazette in 1901-08-20
Description

Frederick Bell, 6th Western Australian Mounted Infantry, was a Perth-born volunteer in the first Western Australian contingent of troops sent to South Africa. He took part in some of the early battles. He came home in February 1901, but soon left again as an officer in the sixth contingent. While rescuing a dismounted man during fighting at Brakpan, Transvaal, South Africa, his own horse fell under the combined weight of the two men. Giving his mount to the other rider, he provided covering fire to allow him to escape.

Bell later lived in parts of Africa, served in the British army in the First World War, and eventually retired to Britain, where he died.

Rolls

  • Pre First World War Conflicts Nominal Rolls:

    Unit
    6th Western Australian Mounted Infantry
    Conflict
    South Africa, 1899-1902 (Boer War)
    Rank
    Lieutenant
  • Honours and Awards:

    Unit
    6th Western Australian Mounted Infantry
    Conflict
    South Africa, 1899-1902 (Boer War)
    Rank
    Lieutenant
    London Gazette
    20 August 1901 on page 5482 at position 1
  • Pre First World War Conflicts Nominal Rolls:

    Unit
    1st Western Australian Mounted Infantry
    Conflict
    South Africa, 1899-1902 (Boer War)
    Rank
    Private
  • Honours and Awards:

    Unit
    6th Western Australian Mounted Infantry
    Conflict
    South Africa, 1899-1902 (Boer War)
    Rank
    Lieutenant
    London Gazette
    04 October 1901 on page 6481 at position 1

Timeline

Date of birth 03 April 1875
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 1899-10
Other units 1899-10-01 - 1900-07-01 1 Western Australian (Mounted Infantry) Contingent.
Date wounded 19 July 1900 Seriously wounded in engagement with Boers at Palmeitfontein.
Date commissioned 08 March 1901 Lieutenant.
Other units 08 March 1901 6 (Mounted Infantry) Contingent.
Date of honour or award 16 May 1901 Awarded Victoria Cross for action at Brakpan, Transvaal, South Africa whilst serving with 6th West Australian Mounted Infantry as a Lieutenant.
Date of discharge 1902-05
Other 01 July 1902 Presented Victoria Cross by the Prince of Wales.
Other units 1915 - 1918 Royal Irish Dragoon Guards.
Date of death 28 April 1954