John Joseph's Story.
John Joseph is listed, born 30th April 1889 in Newcastle-on-Tyne, the son of John Joseph and Beatrice Bell and husband of Annie Harriet Bell, of 109 Norman Street, Birkenhead.
The 13th battalion Cheshire Regiment embarked for France 25th September 1915; Within ten days of arriving on the Western Front, John was recommended for a D.C.M. during their first tour in the trenches. The war diary for the period reads.
Aldershot 25th September 1915
Entrained for Boulogne via Folkstone. All transport with 108 having left for Le Havre via Southampton day previous. Channel crossing on RMS Victoria ½ battalion. Remainder on a following boat. Reached Ostrahove, large rest camp about midnight.
Boulogne 26th September 1915
In camp
Caestre 27th September 1915
Entrained for Hazebrouck. Sent on to Caestre, Billeted in village
Caestre 28th September 1915
Enbussed in 40 motor busses for Armentieres. Debussed at Nieppe and marched 3 miles to billets in convent and blue factory.
Armentieres 29th September 1915
Our advance party of transport re-joined.
Trenches 3rd October 1915
Took over sector 90 – 94 on North bank of river Lys, 3 miles out of Armentieres from 9th Durham L I. Having had instructional period 30/9/1915 to this date.
Trenches 4th October 1915
Quiet. Some rifle fire principally or own during the night, post and patrols with nothing to report
5th – 12th October 1915
Trenches 90 – 94
Battalion behaved excellently for their first time under fire. Nearest point of enemy trench the well-known Le Touquet salient 40 yards away. 2 men killed 3 wounded. 1 officer Lt. G.C.W White killed by a chance shot when out repairing wire. Sergeant Bell recommended for D.C.M. for bringing Lt White in under fire and for digging out Corporal Dodd from shell smashed parapet also under fire.
His citation states.
L/Sjt. J. J. Bell 13th Bn.
For conspicuous gallantry on the 4th October 1915, near Le Touquet. While in charge of a wiring party an officer was wounded. Sergeant Bell, though under heavy rifle fire the whole time, went to his assistance, and with the help of another man, carried him back into the trench. On the 7th October an enemy shell demolished the parapet of our trench and buried a Corporal. Sergeant Bell at once went to his assistance, and with the aid of another man, dug the Corporal out, being under a heavy rifle fire all the time.
Nine months later on the 7th July the 13th battalion were in action on the Somme and took up the line at La Boisselle, the war diary for this period reads.
La Boisselle Thursday 6th July
Occupied trenches in village of La Boisselle which we consolidated and held. Casualties Killed – NIL. Wounded 2nd Lt E R Bruce, C.S.M a Sergeant and 4 other ranks.
La Boisselle Friday 7th July
Over the parapet at 8.5am after suffering serve casualties, we reached our objective and consolidated. A number of prisoners and war material fell into our hands. Casualties on the day very heavy 18 Officers and 243 other ranks.
Of those mentioned in the war diary, 113 were killed of which John was one.