Leslie Donald Ray Bell MID (1887 - 1940)

Born 1887 in Condong, New South Wales, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Margaret Florence (Swan) Ede — married 6 Feb 1933 in Taree, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 28 Sep 1940 at about age 53 in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

Donald was born in 1887. He was the son of John Bell and Mary Ann McNeil. He was educated at Laurieton.

It seems that when he was about 12, he was involved in an accident, when he set gunpowder alight and it exploded in his face. There were concerns he might lose sight in one eye.^[1]

He enlisted at Laurieton on 28th August, 1916, No 2537 35 Bn. He was twice wounded in action (21/7/17, Belgium & 8/8/18, France) Mentioned in Despatches, Sir Douglas Haig's despatches 16/3/1919. He passed away in 1940.

OBITUARY.

MR. D. L. R. BELL.

The death occurred in the H. D. Hospital on 28th September of Mr. Donald Leslie Ray Bell, aged 54 years.

The deceased was a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bell, and was born in the Tweed River district. He was married at Taree to Miss Margaret Swan, there being two children of the union, viz., Garry Nolan and Elaine. The family resided at Laurieton. The late Mr. Bell was a returned soldier. The funeral, under conduct of Mr. S. J. Nowlan, took place at Laurieton, the remains being interred in the Presbyterian portion of the cemetery, Rev. A. Duff conducting the burial service.^[2]

17 Dec 1919 - The Northern Champion (Taree)

Private, L. D. R. Bell, son of Mrs. M. A. Bell, of Laurieton, has been mentioned in despatches (Vide De fence Department) .^[3]

^[4]

Marriage 1933 at Taree, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Registration #4432/1933 of Leslie D R BELL and Margaret F SWAN on date 06Feb1933, registration district: Taree, New South Wales, Australia.^[5]

No more info is currently available for Leslie Bell. Can you add to his biography?

Sources

• Birth - NSW BDM Birth index - BELL LESLIE D R; 34330/1887; JOHN; MARY A; TWEED RIVER

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92944069

• WW1 Australian Army Service Record - National Archives of Australia - Bell Leslie Donald Ray : SERN 2537 : POB Murwillumbah NSW : POE Rutherford NSW : NOK M Bell Mary Anne - http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?O=I&Number=3008881

• Death - NSW BDM Death index - BELL DONALD LESLIE RAY; 24989/1940; JOHN; MARY ANN; PORT MACQUARIE

1. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article104751808
2. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130479308
3. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article157097232
4. ↑ Entered by Mark Rogers, Dec 31, 2011
5. ↑ 'Marriages Search Results TAREE', Government of New South Wales, Justice, Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages, online repository https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/lifelink/familyhistory/search Accessed 31May2017, Reg.#4432/1933