John R. Bell (trade unionist)

John Robert Bell (died 25 August 1924) was a British trade unionist and political activist.

Bell lived in the United States for many years, where he worked as an official with the International Seamen's Union.[1] In 1894, he travelled to England on behalf of the union, to report on the Labour Electoral Association and the Independent Labour Party. While in England, he struck up a friendship with Havelock Wilson, leader of the National Sailors' and Firemen's Union (NSFU), and Wilson and Bell went on an organising tour of the UK.[2]

In 1910, Bell settled in Kingston-upon-Hull, where he became the NSFU's Humber District Secretary.[3] He was adopted as an NSFU candidate for Kingston-upon-Hull West in 1912, but was not endorsed by the Labour Party.[4] He also became active on the Hull Trades and Labour Council, but left during World War I in protest at the Labour Party's policy on the war.[3]

By the time an election was held, in 1918, Hull's constituencies had been redrawn, and Bell stood in Kingston-upon-Hull South West. He received the support of the NSFU and various other unions, and also of some shipowners.[5] Despite some later reports, he was not accredited by the National Democratic and Labour Party, but he did receive a Coalition coupon, and is therefore often counted as a Coalition Labour candidate. He took 30.9% of the votes cast and second place in the poll.[6]

In his spare time, Bell was active in the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, and he served as Grand A. Buffalo of England.[3]

Bell was a prominent figure at Trades Union Congress meetings. He remained a district secretary for the NSFU until his death in 1924.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Obituary: Mr John R. Bell". Annual Report of the Trades Union Congress: 283. 1924.
  2. ↑ Yearley, Clifton K. (1957). Britons in American Labor. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 69.
  3. 1 2 3 "Late Mr J. R. Bell". Hull Daily Mail. 28 August 1924.
  4. ↑ "Mr J. R. Bell Candid". Hull Daily Mail. 19 November 1912.
  5. ↑ "Seamen's candidate". Hull Daily Mail. 7 March 1918.
  6. ↑ Craig, F. W. S. (1977). British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-49 (2 ed.). London: Macmillan Press. p. 158. ISBN 9780333230480.
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