Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Fenian Raid 1866 (Captain J. F. Bell. 47th. Foot) officially impressed naming, minor edge bruise, nearly extremely fine £500-600

John Frederick Bell was born in Wallington, Downham Market, Norfolk, on 19 September 1838, and was commissioned Ensign in the 47th Foot (Loyal North Lancashire Regiment) in 1858. Promoted Lieutenant in 1860, and Captain in 1865, he served with the Regiment in Canada, before retiring by sale of his commission in December 1866.

Bell married Miss Maria Aletta Napier, the only daughter of Major-General of George Napier, the Officer Commanding British Forces in West Canada, at Toronto, Canada, on 16 October 1861. In later life he served as Assistant Governor of Dartmoor Gaol, before being appointed Governor of Norwich Gaol, a position he held from November 1895 until September 1903, during which period he presided over the first recorded hanging at the prison.