A CEREMONY TO CELEBRATE THE CENTENARY OF THE VC ACTION OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FREDERICK BELL, WEST AUSTRALIAN MOUNTED INFANTRY
Bristol, England, 16 May 2001



A ceremony was held in Canford Cemetery, Bristol, to celebrate the centenary of the VC action of Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Bell, West Australian Mounted Infantry, who won his Victoria Cross during the 2nd Boer War in 1901. The opportunity was also taken to clean and tidy up Frederick Bell's headstone.

James Briggs, who has taken a particular interest in Frederick Bell after discovering his grave whilst walking through the cemetery, organised the ceremony with the assistance of the Royal British Legion who paid for the refurbishment of the headstone.

As well as the Legion's representives on Wednesday, 16th May 2001, those present included J.N. Tidmarsh, MBE, JP, the Lord Lieutenant of Bristol, Lieutenant-Colonel Mike Phelps, Australian Army, and Colonel Brian John, head of the local branch of the Royal British Legion. The ceremony itself, conducted by Canon Roy Harrison, Chaplain to the Gloucestershire County branch of the Legion, consisted of a simple graveside service with flag bearers and a bugler from the British Legion.

Further coverage of the event and of the efforts of James Briggs in researching the history of Frederick Bell was published on 1st May 2001 in the "Bristol Times", a weekly historical supplement to the "Bristol Evening Post".

[ London Gazette, 4th October 1901 ]. Brakpan, Transvaal, South Africa, 16th May 1901, Lieutenant Frederick William Bell, West Australian Mounted Infantry.

"When retiring through a heavy fire after holding the right flank, Lieutenant Bell noticed a man dismounted and returned and took him up behind him. The horse, not being equal to the weight, fell with them. Lieutenant Bell then remained behind and covered the man's retirement till he was out of danger."
Frederick Bell was invested with his Victoria Cross by the Prince of Wales ( the future King George V ) at Horse Guards Parade on the 1st July 1902.

A comprehensive account of the extraordinary military and civilian career of Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Bell VC, can be found in James Brigg's website and a booklet is also available, one copy of which has been lodged with the recently opened British Empire Museum in Bristol.

Medal entitlement of Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Bell - West Australian Mounted Infantry

  • Victoria Cross
  • Queen's South Africa Medal ( 1899-1902 )
    • 4 clasps:
    • "Cape Colony" - "Johannesburg" - "Diamond Hill" - "Wittebergen"
  • King's South Africa Medal ( 1901-02 )
    • 2 clasps:
    • "South Africa 1901" - "South Africa 1902"
  • Africa General Service Medal ( 1902-56 )
    • 1 clasp:
    • "Somaliland 1908-1910"
  • 1914 - 15 Star
  • British War Medal ( 1914-20 )
  • Victory Medal ( 1914-19 ) + MiD Oakleaf
  • King Edward VII Coronation Medal ( 1902 )
  • King George VI Coronation Medal ( 1937 )
  • Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ( 1953 )

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Iain Stewart, 10 June 2001