General Sir John Bell
(1782-1876)
19 March 1861

Volume 2, page 329, sitting number 2608.

Born the eldest son of David Bell of Bonnytoun, General Sir John Bell was a distinguished soldier during the Napoleonic Wars and a friend of the Duke of Wellington.

According to Hart’s Army List: ‘General Sir John Bell served in Sicily in 1806 and 1807, in the Peninsula and France from July 1808, to February 1809, and again from May 1809 to July 1814, including the battle of Vimiera, action at the bridge of Almeida, battle at Busaco, all the actions during the retreat of the French from Portugal, siege and storming of Ciudad Rodrigo, siege and storming of Badajos, action at the heights of Castrillos, battle of Salamanca, action of Sabijana de Morillos, battles of Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Nivelle, Orthes, and Toulouse. Served afterwards with the army employed against Louisiana from December 1814 to June 1815. He has received the gold cross for the battles of Pyrenees, Nivelle, Orthes, and Toulouse, and the silver war medal with six clasps for the other battles and sieges.’

He received the reward for distinguished services, and was for many years an ADC to the Queen. In 1848 he was selected by the Duke of Wellington as Lieutenant-Governor of Guernsey to meet some difficulty there, and at the request of the inhabitants he was retained for twice the usual term of the appointment (1848-1854).

In 1821 he married Lady Catherine Harris (1780-1855), eldest daughter of the first Earl of Malmesbury.

He died on 20 November 1876 at 55 Cadogan Place, London, leaving estate valued at £25,000. 

According to his obituary in the Aldershot Military Gazette (25 November 1876): 'In 1820 he was created C.B., and from 1821 to 1823 was deputy quartermaster general at the Cape of Good Hope, and from 1828 to 1841 was Chief Secretary to the Goverment of that colony. In 1831 he was appointed A.D.C. to William IV, thus obtaining the rank of full colonel, and held this appointment till his Majesty's death. In 1841 he became major-general, in 1845 received the distinguished service pension, and from 1848 to 1854 was lieutenant governor of Guernsey, where he was very popular. In 1850 he was appointed colonel of the 95th Regiment, and in 1853 was transferred to his old regiment, the 4th Foot. He was created K.C.B. in 1852, and G.C.B. in 1860.'