TIMELINE OF THE LIFE OF DR BELL

 

As the events detailed in this timeline of the life and legacy of Dr Bell clearly demonstrate, what is known about the doctor is extremely sketchy and many dates and locations are uncertain. Some of the incidents and dates are 'best guess' assumptions and where this is the case a c. (c. = circa) or a question mark (?) has been appended to the entry.

 

It is the intention that this list will be updated as research provides more facts. No doubt the 1921 census will provide further valuable information when it is published. A list of some of the questions to which answers are still outstanding is shown on the 'Information about Dr Bell' page. If you can throw any light on any of the incidents, suggest new entries, or correct erroneous information, please get in touch. If possible, please quote the source of your information.

 

EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF DR BELL

 

• 1888 ~ Howard Alexander Bell born to William Alexander Bell and Adeline Eliza Bell (née Tooth) on 21st February 1888 at Bletchingley, Reigate, Surrey

• 1891 ~ Sophia Mary Cross (later Bell) born at Eglington Leone, Ayrshire, Scotland

• 1891 ~ Census records him aged 3 living at Quarry House, Chaldon, Reigate, Surrey with his mother Adeline aged 33, brother William aged 6 and sister Adeline aged 4

• 1901 ~ Census records him aged 13 as a boarder at Hildersham House School, St Peter’s Road, Broadstairs, Kent (the school was opened in 1890 and in 1901 the principle was Harcourt C Snowden, clergyman & schoolmaster).

• 1901 ~ Census records his mother and sister living at Lyndhurst, Callis Court Road, Broadstairs, Isle of Thanet, Kent

• c.1890-1900 ~ When he first learned to fish (?)

• 1904 ~ Blagdon first opened to trout fishing

• c.1906-1912 ~ Studied for medical degree at Cambridge and St Bartholomew's Hospital, London

• 1911 ~ Census records him aged 23 lodging at 9, Clarendon Road, Notting Hill, London and working as a medical student at St Bartholomew's Hospital

• 1911 ~ Census also records Howard's mother, Adeline, aged 53 living at 5, The Cliff, Blackrock, Brighton

• c.1912/14 ~  First post at a London hospital (?)

• c.1914-1918 ~ War years spent as a Regimental Medical Officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps in Flanders and Mesopotamia

• c.1918/19 ~ Opened medical practice in Sussex after return from WW1

• c.1919-1923 ~ Met Sophia Mary Cross whilst in practice in Sussex. She was later to become Mrs Bell

• 1920 ~ First started fishing Blagdon

• 1924 ~ Married Sophia Mary Cross at Brighton Registry Office on 7th August 1924. They had no children.

• 1920s-onwards ~ Developed his nymph fishing patterns and methods at Blagdon

• 1935/1936 ~ Bought and opened practice at Wrington and later a surgery at Blagdon

• 1937-1961 ~ Owned Alvis Silver Crest DYA 433

• c.1940-1945 ~ Served as Medical Officer to the 8th Somerset Light Infantry Home Guard during WW2

• 1956 ~ Chew Valley Lake first opened to trout fishing

• 1963 ~ Retired from medical practice

• 1963-1966 ~ Latter years in retirement spent fishing at Blagdon

• 1974 ~ Death of Dr Howard Alexander Bell on 2nd December 1974 age 86

• 1977 ~ Death of Mrs Sophia Mary Bell (née Cross) on 9th February 1977 age 85