Three: attributed to Able Seaman G. R. Bell, Royal Navy, killed in action on H.M.S. Fidelity, 1 January 1943

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, all unnamed, extremely fine (3) £30-50

Able Seaman George Rivet Bell, R.N., was killed in action on 1 January 1943, when the escort vessel Fidelity was torpedoed and sunk by the U-435 in the Atlantic. Several days before the Fidelity had picked up 44 survivors from the Empire Shackleton. After the attack, although many from the stricken Fidelity were seen on overcrowded rafts and swimming in the sea, none survived. 274 of the Fidelity’s crew, 51 Royal Marines and 44 men from the Empire Shackleton all perished. Bell was the son of George Alan and Margaret Bell, and husband of Rose Selina Bell, of Newcastle-on-Tyne.

With card forwarding box addressed to ‘Mrs R. S. Bell, 81 Raby Street, Byker, Newcastle-on-Tyne; a copy of the The Gospel of St. John, inscribed to George Bell A.B. Royal Navy of the same address; two small photographs and a paper clipping which reports his presumed death.