Mr. George Bell of 'Bicton', Churchill Avenue, Subiaco (1908).
This post is a continuation of the previous post 'A Personal History Of Western Australia...Lydia Charlotte Bell Of Subiaco (1906).' Lydia Charlotte Bell was married to George Bell.
Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia contains several obituaries Mr George Bell. A lot has been done on the early pioneers of Western Australia.
One example is a family history site I found called the John and Julie Tucker family history website which provides a great amount of detail on Mr George Bell and Lydia Charlotte Duffield, with links to official documents and obituaries on Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia.
George Bell was born in 1819 and died on 29 November, 1908 aged 90 years. He arrived in Western Australia on 10 January, 1841 aboard the ship 'Napoleon' from London, England. George lived in the colony of Western Australia for 70 years. There were several obituaries published on George Bell and his life.
Lydia married George Bell on 24 January, 1846 . The Postal Directories of Western Australia show George Bell lived at 71 Churchill Street, Subiaco in 1906. Together Lydia and George had 12 children.
Lydia Charlotte Duffield was born on 4 June, 1829 in Plymouth, Devon, England. She died on 23 July, 1915 in Subiaco, Western Australia at the age of 86 years. She arrived in Fremantle on 28 December, 1831 aboard the ship 'Egyptian' with their mother, servant and brothers and sisters, John Hole (Jr), Charles Hole and Samuel Bidgood. Her father had arrived earlier on 12 March, 1830 aboard the ship 'Warrior'.
The obituaries and photographs are from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
Western Mail, 5 December 1908.
OBITUARY.
MR. GEORGE BELL.
By the death of Mr. George Bell, of Bicton, Churchill-avenue, Subiaco, on Sunday last, the rapidly narrowing circle of old colonists has lost one of its oldest members. Some 70 years ago Mr. Bell, then a young man of 20, arrived in Western Australia from England, of which he was a native.
For something like a quarter of a century he was engaged in various contract works in Perth, Fremantle, and elsewhere, after which he entered the Public Works Department, and until his retirement on a pension, rather more than 20 years ago, he supervised the erection of a large number of public works and buildings. Among the buildings with the erection of which he was associated was the Perth Town Hall and the old Military Barracks at the west end of St. George's-terrace.
After retiring from the public service, Mr. Bell was connected with the designing and erection of several of the most ornamental villas in the city during the latter part of last century. For some years past he lived a quiet, retired life on his pension, augmented by the rents from his properties. He lived to the ripe old ago of 90 years, thoroughly respected and esteemed by a large circle of friends.
His death took place on Sunday last. His widow and most of his large family of sons and daughters survive him. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon, when the body of the deceased, enclosed in a massive jarrah coffin, was interred in the Methodist portion of the East Perth Cemetery.
The Rev. A. J. Barclay officiated at the funeral, which was largely attended. The chief mourners were Messrs. H. T. and G. W. Bell (sons), Messrs Aubrey, Bert, Edgar, Clarence, and Arthur Bell (grandsons), Messrs. Lawrence Lapsley and Ronald Lapsley (grandsons), Mr. George Donegan (grandson), Mr. Jas. McF. Lapsley (son-in-law), Messrs. Edwin and William Duffield (nephews), and Mr. Raglan Jarvis (nephew). The pall-bearers were Mr. G. Randell, M.L.C., Major T. Sherwood, Messrs. Henry Arnold, F. Spencer, Geo. F. Glyde, and Samuel Hope. A large number of wreaths and floral tributes were sent by friends. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. Donald J. Chipper, of Perth and Fremantle.
Western Mail, 3 February 1906.
