Rising Bell was the youngest of seven children. His brothers and sisters were
Blanche born 1877
Walter born 1879
George born 1882
Anna May born 1884 (died same year as born)
Beatrice born 1886
Herbert born 1889
Rising Ernest Bell was born on 1 May 1896 in Blickling Norfolk to Walter Thomas and Emma Bell. His father was a corn miller and in 1901 they lived at the Mill House, Blickling. Rising was baptised in Blickling Church on 19 June 1896.
By 1911 the family had moved to Saxlingham Thorpe and lived at Woodhouse Farm. Walter had become a farmer. Only Rising and Beatrice were still living at home. Rising was working on the farm.
On 22 August 1916 Rising joined the Royal Navy. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall with a 34 inch chest. He had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He had a scar on the palm of his left hand. He gave his occupation as a horseman on a farm.
He was an ordinary seaman and his service number was J57286. He joined the HMS Pembroke and was there until 22 February 1917. He transferred to HMS Retriever until 14 October 1918. He returned to HMS Pembroke 1 and remained there until 28 February 1919. He was on shore at Woolwich until 22 May 1919 and then returned to Pembroke 1 before being demobbed 28 June 1919
Whilst in the Navy he gave his address as his parents at Woodhouse Farm and was living there in 1920.
He married Kathleen Nora Girling at the beginning of 1926. She was aged 29 years. Their daughter Mary Bell was born on 22 April 1927. (Mary married Thomas Nicholson and they lived in Saxlingham. Mary died in 2004. She had a son and a daughter.)
In the 1930s Rising and Kathleen lived on the Norwich Road, Saxlingham. In 1933 he is listed in Kelly’s Directory as being the owner of a threshing machine.
He died on 5 November 1936 and probate was granted to his widow. His effects were £887 3s 1d
Acknowledgements
England & Wales, Birth, marriage, death Index 1837-2005
UK Census Collection
Royal Navy Seamen records 1899-1919
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar 1858- 1995
Kelly’s Directory, Norfolk 1933
Absent Voters List, Saxlingham Nethergate 1918-1920
If anyone has any photographs or information about this person please contact me. Email jan@janmfox.co.uk