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| Page revised: 14 January, 2008 |
Lieutenant Mark Sever BELL VC |
| Born: | Sydney, NSW, Australia - 15 May 1843 |  |
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| Died: | Windlesham, Surrey - 26 June 1906 | ||
| Burial details: | Buried at All Soul's Churchyard, South Ascot, Berkshire | ||
| Corps service: | Commissioned into the Corps in June 1862 and immediately
after he had completed his Chatham course he was posted to India,
where he saw service in Bhutan War (1864-66). He returned to England
in 1872. In 1880 he joined the Indian Army Intelligence Branch in
Simla, India and as part of the 'great game' conducted several ventures
into China (1882 and 1887), Persia (1884), Mesopotamia and Armenia
(1885-86). He returned to England in 1889 and was put on half-pay
in 1898. Retired as Colonel MS Bell VC CB ADC |
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| VC awarded: | Won VC at Ordashu, Gold Coast (now Ghana), on 4 February 1874 (Ashanti War 1874). | ||
| VC unit: | Royal Engineers attached. | ||
| VC presented: | VC presented by Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle on 26 November 1874 | ||
| VC citation: | For his distinguished bravery and zealous, resolute
and self-devoted conduct at the battle of Ordahsu on the 4 February
1874, whilst serving under the immediate orders of Colonel Sir John
Chetham McLeod, KCB, of the 42nd Regiment, who commanded the Advanced
Guard. Sir John McLeod was an eye witness of his gallant and distinguished
conduct on the occasion, and considers that this officer's fearless
and resolute bearing, being always in the front, urging on and encouraging
an unarmed working party of Fantee labourers, who were exposed not
only to the fire of the enemy, but to the wild and irregular fire
of the Native Troops in the rear, contributed very materially to the
success of the day. By. his example, he made these men do what no
European party was ever required to do in warfare, namely, to work
under fire in the face of the enemy without a covering party. (London Gazette: 20 November 1874) |
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| VC location: | Royal Engineers Museum | ||
| Background: | In 1872, the coastal fort of Elmina came into British possession, but as this fort was the last trade outlet of the Ashanti people they were not prepared to lose control of it. The Ashanti leader, King Kofi Karikari, invaded the coastal area with a12,000 strong army, the army was defeated by a British force but as a precaution against future invasions an punitive expedition was sent from Britain. Bell won his VC as a member of the punitive expedition in the battle of Ordashu the last battle to before the Ashanti capital, Kumasi was captured. | ||
| Source:
Additional material: SC Fenwick, FoREM Links to further reading:
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Royal Engineers Museum main site
