Lot Essay
Ex N.I. Brooks Collection.
Sold with the recipient's original Certificate of Service.
Able Seaman Samuel Henry Bell was born in Bethnal Green, London in December 1908 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard the Training Ship Ganges in late 1924. Advanced to Ordinary Seaman in December 1926 and to Able Seaman in June 1928, he enjoyed a number of inter-War seagoing appointments and was serving in the Cruiser H.M.S. Effingham at the renewal of hostilities. The Effingham was awarded Battle Honours for 'Atlantic 1939-40' and 'Norway 1940' during Bell's period aboard, which lasted until 12.4.1940, just six days prior to her loss near Bodo, Norway. Removing to the Shore Establishments Victory and Excellent, his next seagoing appointment was aboard the Cruiser Manchester between March 1941 and April 1942, during which period she won Battle Honours for 'Malta Convoys 1941-42' and 'Arctic Convoys 1942'. Bell was again lucky to receive a new posting prior to her demise off Tunisia in a hotly contested convoy some three months later. He finished the War in St. Angelo, the Malta base, having been posted there back in January 1944. Bell, who had been awarded his Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. Medal back in May 1942, was released in November 1945. His R.V.M. was awarded in respect of services in the Gun Carriage Party from Excellent at the funeral of King George V.
Sold with the recipient's original Certificate of Service.
Able Seaman Samuel Henry Bell was born in Bethnal Green, London in December 1908 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard the Training Ship Ganges in late 1924. Advanced to Ordinary Seaman in December 1926 and to Able Seaman in June 1928, he enjoyed a number of inter-War seagoing appointments and was serving in the Cruiser H.M.S. Effingham at the renewal of hostilities. The Effingham was awarded Battle Honours for 'Atlantic 1939-40' and 'Norway 1940' during Bell's period aboard, which lasted until 12.4.1940, just six days prior to her loss near Bodo, Norway. Removing to the Shore Establishments Victory and Excellent, his next seagoing appointment was aboard the Cruiser Manchester between March 1941 and April 1942, during which period she won Battle Honours for 'Malta Convoys 1941-42' and 'Arctic Convoys 1942'. Bell was again lucky to receive a new posting prior to her demise off Tunisia in a hotly contested convoy some three months later. He finished the War in St. Angelo, the Malta base, having been posted there back in January 1944. Bell, who had been awarded his Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. Medal back in May 1942, was released in November 1945. His R.V.M. was awarded in respect of services in the Gun Carriage Party from Excellent at the funeral of King George V.