Gilbert A. Bell 1917-22

Gilbert Bell seems to have led a colourfull and varied life but does not seem to have been committed to a career as a clergyman.

Born in Cambridge to Walter Bell a builder he attended the Perse School and Clare College being awarded his M.A. in 1900. In 1901 he appears in the census at Andover Hampshire with his parents and siblings. His father now styled himself as “architect” and Gilbert also gave his profession as architect, so it seems that he was working for his father while awaiting ordination. He is also said to have worked in a stockbroker’s office.

He was in South Africa for some time from about 1901 but had returned by 1911. He then had a number of curacies including at Wathamstow and Kemptown Brighton. In 1914 he was a curate at Rickinghall at which time he was sued for libel in a connection with a bequest, he was found not guilty. He married and had one daughter but was divorced in 1917. He does not appear to have continued in the clergy after leaving Stowupland and he disappears from Crockfords directory in 1923.

Returning to South Africa Gilbert become estranged from his family. He lived on a few investments for a time, became a poultry farmer at Wynberg, Cape Town, and worked as a liftman in Johannesburg.

He died in 1943 in Parktown, Johannesburg.

(Compiled by Neil Langridge 2020)