Mark Sever Bell

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

BELL Mark Sever (Reg. No.80)

Lieutenant, Corps of Royal Engineers London Gazetted on 20th November 1874 VC Medal's Custodian is the Royal Engineers Museum.

Born on 15th May !843 at Sydney, NSW., Australia.

Died on 26th June 1906 at Windlesham, Surrey.

Digest of Citation reads: On 4 February 1874 at the Battle of Ordashu, Ashanti West Africa, Lieutenant Bell was always in front, urging and exhorting an unarmed working party of Fantee labourers who were exposed not only to the fire of the enemy, but to the wild irregular fire of the native troops to the rear. He encouraged these men to work under fire without a covering party, and this contributed very materially to the success of the day.

Additional Information: Colonel Bell was the second son of the late Hutchinson Bell of Leconfield, Yorkshire. His education was private and at King's College, London. (Fellow 1890.) In 1862 he entered the Royal Engineers. In 1865-66 he served with the Bhutan Expedition, in command of the Royal Engineers as well as the Bengal Sappers and Miners. He also commanded the Engineers in the Hazara Expedition in 1868 earning a mention in Despatches after a forced march of 600 miles. During the Ashanti Wars (1873-4) he was Adjutant to the Royal Engineers, Brigade and Special Service Officer. He was mentioned in Despatches for other acts which were in no way connected to his Victoria Cross award. He married twice. His first wife was Angelina Helen Dickenson (daughter of Capt.R.B.F.Dickenson of the 15th Regiment.) Angelina Died on in 1879. He was promoted to Major in 1882 (In The Victoria Cross 1856 to 1920he is stated as being a Captain) and served as an Intelligence Officer in the Burma Campaign of 1886-87. He was A.Q.M.G. of Intelligence 1880-85. He was promoted to Brevet Lieutenant Colonel in 1883 and then to Brevet Colonel in 1887. He was the ADC to Her Majesty Queen Victoria in 1887; D.Q.M.G. 1885-88 Col. Bell commanded the Royal Engineers, Western District from 1894-98. He married for the second tome to Nora Margaret, daughter of Hext Roger Esq. Of Inceworth South Devon. In 1893 he was created a CB (Military. Because of ill health he was placed on half pay. He was extremely well travelled covering more than 12,000 miles, visiting Central Asia, China and the East. Many of the places he visited were unknown. He was the author of many military and geographical papers and was the first winner of the McGregor Gold Medal of the United States Institute, Indiana. He Died on the 26th of June 1906 at Earlywood Lodge, Sunnunghill, Surrey at the age of 63. His Eldest son Anthony Bell served in the King's Own and was mentioned in Despatches as well as being awarded the Military Cross and the 1914 Star. The youngest son Robert, was killed in action serving with the KRRC on the 3rd September 1916 after being mentioned in Despatches on the 1st of January 1916.