Albert Wilson Bell (1893 - 1975)

Born 17 Apr 1893 in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Gladys May (Milne) Bell — married 21 Apr 1917 in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia

Descendants

Died 14 Jul 1975 at age 82 in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

Albert Wilson Bell was born on 17 Apr 1893 in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia, son of William Wilson Bell (1854 - 1945) and Anne (Falconer) Bell (1852 - 1893).

His siblings were:

1. Unnamed Bell (1878 - 1878)
2. Violet Jessie (Bell) Coe (1880 - 1969)
3. Charlotte Louisa (Bell) Dixon (1880 - 1964)
4. Eva Annie Bell (1883 - 1884)
5. Grace Josephine (McNeil) Corbett (1887 - 1928)
6. William Harold Bell (1889 - 1889)
7. Unnamed Bell (1893 - 1893)
8. Ruby Dorothy (McNeil) Bell (1898 - 1905)
9. Charles Norman Bell (1905 - 1960)
10. Ann Row (Bell) Johnstone (1906 - 1964)
11. Thomas Richard William Bell (1909 - 1973)

Williamstown Chronicle (Vic.) Saturday 7 August 1915 Letters from the Front. The following are a few extracts taken from a letter written by Private Albert Bell, to his sister. Mrs Dixon, Ferguson street:- We have landed in Egypt and are stationed about eight miles from Carlo which is about as big as Melbourne. The niggers worry the life out of us selling everything you can think of, including tomatoes, of which we have had many a good meal. We have a wet canteen and a grocery store here so we are well provisioned. One thing we find very hard is the heat and sandy desert but we are all getting used to these things now. We have to arise at 5 a.m. We then work until 9 a.m. from which time we as free until 5 p.m. on account of the heat. It is too hot in the daytime to work owing to the heat being about 120 degrees in the shade It was a grand sight coming through Suez Canal. We saw the troops guarding the Canal. At Alexandria, we had the pleasure of meeting some of the boys were wounded at the Dardanelles. They were all anxious of getting back to the firing line again to have another go at the Turks. Most of them are wounded in the legs. I have also had the pleasure of meeting and conversing with our esteemed Dr. Maclean, who is in charge of one of the Hospitals at Heliopolis, and he is looking well. Private Bell is in good health and wishes to be remembered to all the lads.

The Williamstown Advertiser newspaper article, Saturday 27 November 1915; "-Mrs Norman Dixon has received a cablegram, stating that her brother, A W. Bell, has been wounded in the leg." This refers to the advice of a war injury. Mrs Norman Dixon being Albert's sister, Charlotte Louisa nee' Bell.

Another newspaper article in The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) Wed 5 Jul 1922 Page 19 Football Umpire Attacked. THREE MEN CHARGED. EXCITING SCENE AT WILLIAMSTOWN. At Williamstown court yesterday a respectable young married man named Albert Wilson Bell was charged before Messrs. C. F. Orr and G. G. Blackstock with having behaved in an offensive, and threatening manner on 10th June on the local football ground at the termination of the Association game between Hawthorn and Williamstown teams. He pleaded not guilty. Henry Chase, boundary umpire, swore that when the last bell rang he was walking across the ground towards the pavilion just behind the central umpire, Thompson, when he noticed a man running with his hands up as if he intended to strike a blow. As the man had his back turned he did not recognise him, but the aggressor was the build of Bell. Constable W. J. Martin having described the rush of persons onto the playing area said he noticed Chase running after Bell, whom he pointed to as the man who had sought to strike Thompson. Witness followed a little way, and then called to Bell, who was running away, "All right, Algy, I know you." Accused was a very excitable man. Sergeant, Reidy: He's a Williamstown "enthusiast." (Laughter.) Constable Martin: If Williamstown kicked a goal he would roll on the ground with delight. Accused: I did not strike anyone. Sergeant Reidy: You are not charged with assault. Mr. Orr: You seem to be quite carried away. This excitement is likely to get you into trouble. Do you not think it would be wise if you stopped away Accused: Perhaps it would. I don't think these umpires now know the game. I've followed Williamstown for sixteen years. Plain Clothes Constable Thomas also gave evidence of the melee, and detailed an interview of the 12th ult. he had with Bell, whom he asked to explain his conduct as to making an attempt to strike the field umpire. This he denied, saying he thought the umpire was going to strike him and he put up his hands. Bell gave evidence on oath, disclaiming that he had any intention to strike anyone. The ground had been rushed by some 40 or 50 Hawthorn "barrackers," who seemed to be going for the field umpire and he wanted to see what for. Sergeant Reidy: You have heard what the witnesses said; do you contradict them? Accused: I didn't strike anybody. Mr. Orr: You ought to stop away. These umpires are just as conscientious as you are, and there is no need for you to quarrel with them. On the condition that you will do so the case will be dismissed. Accused promised the bench to do so, and was ordered to pay the boundary umpire 10/- for his day's expenses. Bernard Freeman, a youth, was similarly charged. He pleaded guilty. Constable C. Stubbs stated that after the game against Hawthorn was over a crowd of men and youths rushed the ground. Witness saw Freeman try to strike the field umpire, first with one hand and then with the other. Witness caught accused and took him to the pavilion, but the umpire declined to lay a charge. He had to force his way with him through a large crowd. Sergeant Reidy: I had some experience of this fracas myself; feeling ran very high. Freeman denied striking the umpire. He had only put his arm around his neck to save himself, He did not strike Thompson. Mr. Orr: But you had no right to put your arm around the umpire's neck. You get so excited you cannot control yourself. You see, you not only bring discredit on yourself, but on your local town, and your local team. We do not want to enter a conviction against you, and if you will put 10/- in the poor box the charge might be withdrawn. Sergeant Reidy: I do not wish to press the charge, but I am not disposed to withdraw it. Mr. Orr: Very well. We will adjourn the case for six months, but he must put 10/- in the poor box and promise to abstain from going to football matches. Freeman made a promise and handed out the 10/-.

Albert married Gladys May Milne (1894 - 1974) on 21 Apr 1917 in Williamstown. Their son was Albert Leonard Bell (1918 - 1973).^[1]

Albert died on 14 Jul 1975 in Williamstown aged 82.^[2] He is buried in Williamstown Cemetery.^[3] Find-a-Grave. Find A Grave: Memorial #153396076

Sources

1. ↑ Registry of BDM, Victoria.
   Marriage Certificate
   Record information
   Event Marriage
   Event registration number 4430
   Registration year 1917
   Personal information
   Family name MILNE
   Given names Gladys May
   Sex Female
   Spouse's family name BELL
   Spouse's given names Albert Wilson https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/
2. ↑ Registry of BDM, Victoria.
   Death certificate
   Record information
   Event: deaths
   Registration number: 17338 / 1975
   Family name: BELL
   Given name(s): Albert Wilson
   Place of event: Heidelberg, Australia
   Personal detail
   Mother's name: Annie
   Mother's family name at birth: FALCONER
   Father's Name: BELL William Wilson
   https://my.rio.bdm.vic.gov.au/efamily-history/62621800383e5a20f475297c/record/5c654e314aba80ac312f6c33?q=efamily&givenName=Albert%20Wilson&familyName=BELL
3. ↑ Williamstown Cemetery

   LOCATION DETAILS< 1 OF 1 >
   Plot Number	485132
   GIS Location	WI-LAWN*A*K**4
   Area Name	[W] LAWN
   Cemetery	Williamstown Cemetery
   Burials	2
   Cremations	0
   DECEASED DETAILS< 1 OF 2 >
   Burial Number	872013
   Surname	Bell
   Given Name	Gladys May
   Age	80 Y
   Service Date	07/11/1974
   Service Type	Interment
   DECEASED DETAILS< 2 OF 2 >
   Burial Number	872014
   Surname	Bell
   Given Name	Albert Wilson
   Age	82 Y
   Service Date	17/07/1975
   Service Type	Interment