Thomas Bell

Age 31        Married

Private 6984
1^st Bn., Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Killed in action on
Thursday 20^th July 1916

Thomas was born in Hoylake, Warwick and whilst still young he moved with his family to Darwen, Lancashire.  Upon leaving school, Thomas followed his three brothers into the army, serving mostly in South Africa.  After leaving the army, Thomas married and the couple moved to Top Row, Sabden. 

Thomas was a prominent member of Sabden Football Club, being a superb left winger, having previously played for Padiham and Darwen. 

At the outbreak of the war, Thomas re-enlisted in the army, immediately being shipped out to France.  In September 1915, he was wounded in the head by shrapnel, spending a short time at a Base Hospital. 

Mrs Bell had heard nothing from Thomas for nine months, when in April 1917 she received official notice that her husband had been killed in action on 20^th July 1916, during the Battle of the Somme. 

Thomas Bell is buried at the Serre Road Cemetery No. 2, Somme, France. 

In Sabden he has been remembered on both the School and Church Plaques.