BELL, Percy Howard
| Service Number: | 1101 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 5 November 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 12th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Norwood, Adelaide, South Australia, 1 November 1894 |
| Home Town: | Fulham (SA), City of West Torrens, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Painter |
| Died: | Natural causes, North Adelaide, South Australia , 1 December 1971, aged 77 years |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia General D path 15 grave 91A |
| Memorials: | Gawler Council Gawler Men Who Answered the Call WW1 Roll of Honor, Gawler May Bros. & Co. Limited WW1 Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 5 Nov 1914: | Enlisted | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Dec 1914: | Involvement Private, 1101, 12th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Themistocles embarkation_ship_number: A32 public_note: '' | |
| 22 Dec 1914: | Embarked Private, 1101, 12th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Themistocles, Melbourne | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Corporal, 1101, 12th Infantry Battalion |
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Son of John BELL and Dorcas nee TUPPER
Biography contributed by Adelaide Botanic High School
Percy Howard Bell, son of Mrs. D Bell (whom he listed as his next of kin), was a World War 1 soldier, born on the 1st of November 1894 in the Adelaide suburb of Norwood, South Australia. Prior to enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force on the 5th of November 1914, Bell was a single 20-year-old painter with four months of military service on his record. He served with the 79th Infantry, possibly stationed in Gawler before World War 1. Percy was a Presbyterian with a dark complexion, standing at five foot 7, the average height of most soldiers during his time and weighed approximately 66.2 kgs.
After enlisting in the AIF on the 5th of November 1914, his military service commenced where he served as a Private (service No.1101), with the 12th Infantry Battalion. His battalion formed the 3rd Brigade along with the 9th, 10th, and 11th Battalions. He embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on board the HMAT A32 Themistocles on the 22nd of December 1914. He landed in Gallipoli on the 25th of April 1915. Shortly after landing in Gallipoli, Bell was wounded in his right thigh on the 1st of May 1915. Following his injury, Percy was admitted to Tigne Military hospital in Malta on the 4th May. On the 26th June 1915 he was transferred to St Georges and then later transferred to Saint Davies Hospital. He was shipped to England on the 9th of September and admitted to King George hospital.
After recovering from his injuries, Bell rejoined his battalion at Serapeum, Egypt, on the 29th of March 1916, however he was later wounded in action again in France on the 24th of February and admitted to the County of London Hospital on the 27th of May, later transferring to Epsom, England. His injuries included gunshot wound to thigh, an injured ankle and shell shock. He spent time in hospital in Gnaldn from 28th July 1917 to January 1917
He was classified as Class B1A on the 2nd of April 1917, indicating that Percy had an injury that limited his ability to perform full combat duties, but did not completely incapacitate him. Though not being shown where on his record, Bell then joined No.1 Convalescent Depot. He recovered and was sent back to his unit in France.
Percy proceeded overseas to France from Perham Downs via Southampton on the 22nd of May 1917, arriving in Harve, France, on the 23rd of June 1917. He then rejoined the 14th Battalion on the 16th of June and was appointed Lance Corporal on the 21st of August 1917. During his service, Percy attended the 3rd Vrigade N.C.O. course, which was specifically designed to prepare and train soldiers for N.C.O roles. However, on the 31st of March he faced disciplinary action, where he was absent from roll call without permission for 18 days and returned on the 17th of April 1917 at 8:45pm. He was in custody and awaited a 5-day trial which resulted in a 14-day detention as well as being docked a total of 41 days’ pay by Major A.E.L. Choly as punishment for his unapproved absence.
Percy rejoined the 18th Battalion from school and was appointed Temporary Corporal on the 17th of October 1917. He started attending the Corps Gas School in France on the 1st of December 1917. Bell then rejoined his unit on the 22nd of December. He further attended the 10th Corps Infantry School course on the 16th of January 1918 and was promoted to Corporal on the 4th of February 1918. After rejoining school on the 24th of February 1918, he went on leave to the United Kingdom on the 26th of March and rejoined on the 30th of March 1918.
On the 27th of March 1918, Percy was admitted to hospital for gonorrhoea and treated at the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital (A.D.H.), and the second "Casualty Clearing Station"(C.C.S.) for recovery and rehabilitation. He was later transferred to a 4th Field Hospital on the 16th of April 1918 and discharged to base details.
Bell eventually returned to Australia on the 4th of November 1918. Percy Howard Bell, served In World War 1 for a total of 4 years and 109 days and served abroad 4 years and 2 days. One year after returning from the war, Percy Howard bell married Florence Maple and lived out his days in Adelaide, South Australia.
Percy Howard Bell, died on the 1st of December 1971 aged 77 years, in North Adelaide, South Australia due to natural causes. He was buried at Centennial Park, Pasadena, Mitcham City, South Australia.
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