Baldwin & Sons
Auction 106 15 Sep 2022
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A Great War 1914 Casualty Group of 3 awarded to Private Thomas Bell, 1st Battalion Black Watch, (Royal Highlanders) who died on the 11th of November 1914 comprising 1914 Star, (3‑2103 Pte T. Bell. R. Highrs.), 1914‑1920 British War and Victory Medals, (3‑2103 Pte. T. Bell. R. Highrs.), toned fine (3).
1st Battalion Black Watch War Diary ‑ November 1914.
2nd ‑ Enemy attacked down Menin Road. "A" &"C" and "B" Companies took part in counterattack and held up advance. Casualties 2 Officers Killed 2 Officers wounded, 5 other ranks killed, 34 wounded 21 missing believed Killed.
3rd to 6th – Heavy Shelling 23 Killed, 22 wounded 6 missing. "A" and "B" companies assisted 1st Loyal North Lancs in counterattack near Inverness Copse. Line regained and held. 11th – between 7am and 10am heaviest bombardment yet experienced. Enemy (Prussian Guard) broke through on right of "D" Coy. HQ Overrun. "A" and "B" companies suffering heavy casualties. "C" Coy came into action and divided attacking force into small parties. Later at 3.30pm, 1st Northamptonshire with a party of 1st Black Watch advanced on Nonne Bosschen Wood and cleared enemy from Vebeek Farm and south‑west corner of Polygon Wood. The latter being recorded as gallantly held by a party under Lt Anderson and later called "Black Watch Corner".3 Officers Killed 4 Officers Wounded, 18 OR's Killed, 52 wounded 49 missing believed killed.
Private Thomas Bell landed in France on the 11th of September 1914 and was killed exactly 10 weeks later on the 11th of November 1914, his body was not located after the War and he is commemorated on Panel 37 of the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres. He was the son of the late George and Catherine Bell and was 20 years old when he died.
Sold with Commonwealth War Graves Commission information. His Medal Index Card confirms the 1914 Star Trio, he is also entitled to the Aug‑Nov clasp.
1st Battalion Black Watch War Diary ‑ November 1914.
2nd ‑ Enemy attacked down Menin Road. "A" &"C" and "B" Companies took part in counterattack and held up advance. Casualties 2 Officers Killed 2 Officers wounded, 5 other ranks killed, 34 wounded 21 missing believed Killed.
3rd to 6th – Heavy Shelling 23 Killed, 22 wounded 6 missing. "A" and "B" companies assisted 1st Loyal North Lancs in counterattack near Inverness Copse. Line regained and held. 11th – between 7am and 10am heaviest bombardment yet experienced. Enemy (Prussian Guard) broke through on right of "D" Coy. HQ Overrun. "A" and "B" companies suffering heavy casualties. "C" Coy came into action and divided attacking force into small parties. Later at 3.30pm, 1st Northamptonshire with a party of 1st Black Watch advanced on Nonne Bosschen Wood and cleared enemy from Vebeek Farm and south‑west corner of Polygon Wood. The latter being recorded as gallantly held by a party under Lt Anderson and later called "Black Watch Corner".3 Officers Killed 4 Officers Wounded, 18 OR's Killed, 52 wounded 49 missing believed killed.
Private Thomas Bell landed in France on the 11th of September 1914 and was killed exactly 10 weeks later on the 11th of November 1914, his body was not located after the War and he is commemorated on Panel 37 of the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres. He was the son of the late George and Catherine Bell and was 20 years old when he died.
Sold with Commonwealth War Graves Commission information. His Medal Index Card confirms the 1914 Star Trio, he is also entitled to the Aug‑Nov clasp.