The war memorial lists Richard as in the Royal Marines but no such death is recorded by CWGC.
There is however this man, who seems almost certain to be the casualty.
No.5932549, Private, Richard Lionel BELL
Aged 28
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Lionel Richard Bell was born Cheveley on 4th May 1916 (according to his PoW card). Lionel Richard BELL was baptised in St Mary's Cheveley on 14 July 1918, no father's name recorded, son of Edith May BELL, birth given as 1918. His PoW card gives birth as 4th May 1916, the only birth registration corresponding that has been found was an un-named male BELL birth registered in Grimsby in Q3-1916. There was no male BELL registered born in 1916-1918 that fits the bill. Edith M Bell married Thomas Turner (Newmarket Q4-1923 3B:1231). CWGC have his parents as Thomas and Edith M Turner of Horton Kirby,Kent. He was certainly still in Cheveley in 1929 as a school photograph still exists. From his prisoner of war card it seems he was raised by his grandparents (Grandfather R.BELL, 6 Broad Green, Cheveley. He had been a labourer. In the 1939 register his grandparents were at 17 Broad Green, Cheveley, grandfather Richard [11-4-1876 a hot water fitter, grandmother Florence M [5-2-1890]. This was found on the internet in relation to Horton Kirby, Kent. Edith May Turner née Bell, 1897-1960, moved to village from Farningham 1930s Married Thomas Turner, Cheveley Cambs 1923,worked as seamstress at the boys school Farningham.
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Captured at the surrender of Singapore on 15th February 1942. He is recorded in "Battalion at War -Singapore 1942" by Michael Moore as being in the 1st battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Also recorded in "Death on the Hellships" by
Gregory F.Michno are the details for the 'Rakuyo Maru'. Ron Taylor's website http://www.roll-of-honour.org.uk/Hell_Ships.htm is also a source of information for these ships.
He was a victim of the "Hell Ships". Being used to transport prisoners of war to the Japanese mainland, (in appalling conditions) many of these ships were sunk by Allied submarines and aircraft . They carried no indication that they were transporting prisoners of war. The 'Rakuyo Maru' [KA-25]left Singapore on 6th September 19144, convoy carrying 'Japan Party Three', 1,318 prisoners. 6 days into the voyage 1,159 died when the US Submarine 'Sealion II' torpedoed the ship. The submarine returned to the scene and picked up 51 survivors, hence much is known about conditions on this ship. The 'Rakuyo Maru' was sunk off East Hainan Island, Lat 18.20 N ; Long 114.20 E.
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