James Arthur Bell, RNR

BORN HULL 19/03/1882. HIS UNOFFICIAL WIFE, ELIZABETH SIZER, LIVED AT 2, LAUREL LANE, ETON STREET, HULL (NAVAL RECORDS ADDRESS) & 48, GLENCOE STREET, HULL (WAR PENSION ADDRESS). SHE LATER BECAME ELIZABETH TODD, BUT CALLED HERSELF MRS BELL.

CHIEF ENGINEMAN ON THE MINESWEEPER 'ASIA'. SHIP MINED OFF BRESSAY ISLANDS, SHETLANDS, ON 12/09/1917. AGED 35. LISTED IN ST BARNABAS BOOK. HIS DEATH WAS REPORTED IN THE HULL DAILY MAIL, WITH HIS PHOTO. *

The British trawler Asia was sunk on 12 September 1917 by a mine from the German submarine UC-40 (Hermann Menzel) off Bressay Island. 7 of the crew were killed.

PEOPLE ON BOARD HMT 'ASIA'

1. BELL, JAMES ARTHUR , Engineman (no. 862ES), H.M. Trawler Asia, Royal Naval Reserve, 12/09/1917, Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial

2. BENJAMIN, JOHN DUXFIELD (31), Lieutenant, H.M. Trawler Asia, Royal Naval Reserve, 12/09/1917, Husband of M. A. Benjamin, of 60, Eastbourne Rd., Darlington, Co. Durham, Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial

3. CUMMINGS, WILLIAM (35), Trimmer (no. 6219TS), H.M. Trawler Asia, Royal Naval Reserve, 12/09/1917, Son of Mrs. J. Davidson, of Commonty, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Memorial: Portsmouth Naval Memorial

4. FEARNLEY, EPHRAIM , Second Hand (no. 1972SA), H.M. Trawler Asia, Royal Naval Reserve, 12/09/1917, Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial

5. LAING, JOHN (42), Engineman (no. 1840ES), H.M. Trawler Asia, Royal Naval Reserve, 12/09/1917, Son of the late John and Hannah Laing, of South Shields; husband of Mary Duncan Laing, of 36, St. Clair St., Aberdeen, Memorial: Portsmouth Naval Memorial

6. MACDONALD, MALCOLM JOHN (23), Wireless Telegraph Operator (no. 172WTS), H.M. Trawler Asia, Royal Naval Reserve, 12/09/1917, Son of George and Elizabeth Macinnes Macdonald, of Lochside, Lairg, Sutherlandshire, Memorial: Portsmouth Naval Memorial

7. PATTULLO, WILLIAM (27), Trimmer (no. 6242TS), H.M. Trawler Asia, Royal Naval Reserve, 12/09/1917, Son of David and Margaret Chaplir Pattullo, of 35, Howard St., Arbroath, Memorial: Portsmouth Naval Memorial