Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 29765, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/29765/supplement/9417. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- Temporary Captain Eric Norman Frankland Bell, late Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. For most conspicuous bravery. On 1st July 1916 at Thiepval, France, he was in command of a Trench Mortar Battery, and advanced with the infantry in the attack. When our front line was hung up by enfilading machine-gun fire Captain bell crept forward and shot the machine-gunner. Later, on no less than three occasions, when our bombing parties, which were clearing the enemy's trenches, were unable to advance, he went forward alone and threw Trench Mortar bombs among the enemy. When he had no more bombs available he stood on the parapet, under intense fire, and used a rifle with great coolness and effect on the enemy advancing to counter attack. Finally he was killed rallying and reorganising infantry parties which had lost their officers. All this was outside the scope of his normal duties with his battery. He gave his life in his supreme devotion to duty.
Fold3_Team · 31 Oct 2023
Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 29765, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/29765/supplement/9417. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- Temporary Captain Eric Norman Frankland Bell, late Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. For most conspicuous bravery. On 1st July 1916 at Thiepval, France, he was in command of a Trench Mortar Battery, and advanced with the infantry in the attack. When our front line was hung up by enfilading machine-gun fire Captain bell crept forward and shot the machine-gunner. Later, on no less than three occasions, when our bombing parties, which were clearing the enemy's trenches, were unable to advance, he went forward alone and threw Trench Mortar bombs among the enemy. When he had no more bombs available he stood on the parapet, under intense fire, and used a rifle with great coolness and effect on the enemy advancing to counter attack. Finally he was killed rallying and reorganising infantry parties which had lost their officers. All this was outside the scope of his normal duties with his battery. He gave his life in his supreme devotion to duty.