Edward William Derrington Bell

Edward William Derrington Bell
= Depiction of the battle of Alma
Born	18 May 1824 Essex, England
Died	10 November 1879 (aged 55) Belfast, Ireland
Buried at	St Mary's Churchyard, Kempsey
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Major General
Unit	23rd Regiment of Foot
Battles/wars	Crimean War Indian Mutiny
Awards	Victoria Cross Order of the Bath Légion d'honneur

Major General Edward William Derrington Bell VC CB (18 May 1824 – 10 November 1879) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was 30 years old, and a captain in the 23rd Regiment of Foot (later The Royal Welch Fusiliers), British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 20 September 1854 in the Crimea, at the Battle of Alma, Captain Bell was the first to seize upon and capture one of the enemy's guns which was limbered up and being carried off. He moreover took over the command of his regiment, which he brought out of action, all his senior officers having been killed or wounded.

He later achieved the rank of Major General.

He is buried in the churchyard at Kempsey, Worcestershire.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum (Caernarfon Castle, Gwynedd, Wales).

References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Worcestershire)
• Major General Edward William Derrington Bell VC (grave details and brief biography)