Reginald Herbert Wilberforce-Bell - Danygraig Cemetery

 

Reginald Herbert Wilberforce-Bell.  A name that many if not all wouldn’t recognise or know. 

 “Talking Stones,” an ITV Wales program, was broadcast during the early 00s. It was presented by the motor-biking vicar, Lionel Fanthorpe. Fanthorpe toured Wales, visiting the local graveyards and cemeteries, and researching the lives of those names inscribed on the headstones. He left no stones unturned, so he thought!

The first is of Reginald Herbert Wilberforce-Bell's grave, which is located at Danygraig Cemetery. 

Here is Swansea's own “Talking Stones”

Reginald Herbert Wilberforce-Bell. Who was he?  He was a family member of the Wilberfoss family hailing from Wilberfoss, Yorkshire.  Reginald was either 1887 or 89 in Edinburgh, son of Harold Wilberfosse Bell and Lucy Wilson. Grandson of William Henry Bell and Jane Wilberfoss.  Harold, a Military Knight of Windsor, was a retired Captain who served and saw action during the Second Afghan War (1878-80).  It was Harold who assumed the surname Wilberforce by deed poll and created their double-barrelled surname, Wilberforce-Bell. The family resided at The White House, Grafton, Marlborough, Wiltshire.  One other notable family member was William Wilberforce, principal campaigner of the Slave Trade Act 1807.

1904 Reginald emigrated to Canada, first arriving in Ontario, where he learned fruit and wheat farming.  Later he moved to Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada.  In February 1914, Reginald joined the 105^th Saskatoon Fusiliers as a Lieutenant. August 1914, the outbreak of the First World War, he volunteered for Imperial Service, then posted with the 28^th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force.  That winter, the Battalion undertook training, traveling the following May to the UK.  Further training was undertaken at Shorneliffe Camp, Folkestone, Kent.  September 1915, the Battalion left for France, moving to Kemmel, Ypres, Belgium entering the trenches for the first time. 

A tour of the trenches entailed 4 days in the Front Line, 4 days in Reserve, and a further 4 days Rest.  28^th Battalion’s second tour of the trenches, commencing on 18^th October.  The Germans exploded two mines.  Resulting in 30 men including Reginald, a Machine Gun Officer being wounded. A further 19 men were killed.  However, with so much destruction, the Canadians stood their ground, and the Germans couldn’t take advantage. 

Reginald was evacuated back to the UK.  He was a patient at Mrs. Analdis’ hospital, in London.  Whilst here the Medical Board, found that 26-year-old Reginald, was suffering from “debility and disordered action of the heart” The report continues “This officer was “shocked” by shell and mine explosion in October 1915.  In rescuing his men, who had been buried, he strained his heart and has now aortic regurgitation, with irregular action of the heart.  He is steadily improving”.  

 Reginald Herbert Wilberforce-Bell
grave
Danygraig Cemetery

With the recommendation of 2 months leave.  For the remainder of his convalescence, Reginald was sent to Wales first arriving at Penrice Castle Red Cross Hospital. However, serious symptoms developed, and on the 24^th of January 1916 he was admitted to 41 Walters Road, a nursing home for further medical attention. Two days later Reginald died.  28^th January he received a full military honours funeral. His gravestone, at Danygraig cemetery, makes references to his military actions of the previous October. St. Nicholas’ Church, Grafton bears a further memorial to Reginald