William John Albert Bell was a son of John Bell and Margaret Ann Bell. William was born on 20th November 1888 in the Moneymore area. His mother was a hotel keeper in Hanover Square in Coagh. His father was a Sergeant in the Royal Irish Constabulary. Like his father, William J A Bell joined the Royal Irish Constabulary about 1907. He served in Fermanagh and at Brown Square Barracks in Belfast. He served 5 years with them. William resigned and emigrated to New Zealand. William enlisted on 25th July 1916. Lance Corporal William Bell was wounded twice, once in the leg and again in the neck. Lance Corporal William Bell was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Otago Regiment when he died of wounds on 21st February 1918. He was 30 years old.
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery is located 12 Kms west of Ieper town centre, on the Boescheepseweg, a road leading from the N308 connecting Ieper to Poperinge. From Ieper town centre the Poperingseweg (N308) is reached via Elverdingsestraat, then over two small roundabouts in the J. Capronstraat. The Poperingseweg is a continuation of the J. Capronstraat and begins after a prominent railway level crossing. On reaching Poperinge, the N308 joins the left hand turning onto the R33, Poperinge ring road. The R33 ring continues to the left hand junction with the N38 Frans-Vlaanderenweg. 800 metres along the N38 lies the left hand turning onto Lenestraat. The next immediate right hand turning leads onto Boescheepseweg. The cemetery itself is located 2 Kms along Boescheepseweg on the right hand side of the road.
