Russell Alfred Bell-Syer

Lieutenant-Commander Russell Alfred Bell-Syer, R.N. (8 September, 1886 – 29 September, 1942) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Born in Streatham.

Bell-Syer was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1908. On 15 March 1913, while serving as first officer in the destroyer Martin, he was tried by Court Martial on two charges of fraudulent conversion of public money. Found guilty, he was to be dismissed the service in disgrace. However, the Admiralty found that the issue was more about his failure to consider his responsibilities than a willful theft on his part. His sentence was reduced to being dismissed the ship and loss of one year's seniority.

On 11 September 1913 he was appointed to the battleship Zealandia. In July 1914, a cutter was crushed between the ship and a collier, resulting in loss of life. Bell-Syer was cautioned for not having exercised more care.

Bell-Syer continued to serve in Zealandia until being appointed to the sloop Cadmus on 15 February, 1916. Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 30 June, 1917, on 25 April 1918, Bell-Syer was appointed to his next ship, the gunboat Widgeon.

From February to July 1919 he served in the gunboat Gnat. He was palced on the Retired List at his own request on 16 October, 1919.

World War II

Bell-Syer was made a Flight Lieutenant in 1939. He apparently died in 1942 while serving as an aviator, albeit a rather elderly one.

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia

Bibliography

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Hugh D. Marryat	Captain of H.M.S. Widgeon 25 Apr, 1918 – 22 Jan, 1919	Succeeded by Edward G. de S. Jukes Hughes