BELL, John Charlton (1889-1917)
John was the eldest son of John and Elizabeth Bell of Violet Bank, Kangaroo Ground where he was dairy farming when he enlisted 1 February 1916. His brothers and sisters included Robert (known as Allan) Bell who was farming at Dixons Creek in 1916 and later lived in the Yarra Glen district, Nettie Bell (wife of Norm Allen of Yarra Glen), and Jim Bell who lived in the Yarra Glen district from 1929.
John.Bell left Australia on 28 July 1916 and was stationed in England until November when he was moved to France. He served with A Company of the 24th Battalion. He was killed in action on the field at Passchendaele, Belgium on 4 October 1917 aged 28 and is buried in the Passchendaele Cemetery. William Bell of Gulf Station was his Great Uncle. John's name is included on the Yarra Glen and the Dixons Creek Honor Rolls, the Yarra Glen cenotaph and the Kangaroo Ground War Memorial.
