Reginald Bell
Obituary
- DEATH OF AN OLD PIONEER,
- A well-known old pioneer, Mr. Reginald Bell, died at Hamilton on Saturday. Deceased, who resided for close upon half a century at Casterton, where he at one time conducted a private school, played part in connection with the Eureka Stockade riots. Governor Hotham was anxious to send a despatch from Melbourne to Ballarat, and Mr. Bell under took to convey it on horseback. He succeeded in getting safely through the lines of sentries, having concealed the despatch in one of his boots.[1]
- Mr. Reginald Bell, who was for more than half a century a resident of Casterton, died at Hamilton on Saturday. He at one time conducted a private school in Casterton. He had played a part in connection with the Eureka Stockade riots. Governor Hotham was anxious to send a despatch from Melbourne to Ballarat and Mr. Bell undertook to convey it on horseback. He succeeded in getting safely through the lines of sentries, having concealed the despatch in one of his boots.[2]
- The death has occurred at Casterton of Mr C. Reginald Bell, one of the oldest school teachers in Victoria. At the time of the Eureka Stockade riots Mr. Bell rode from Melbourne to Ballarat on horse- back with the despatch from Governor Hotham which was afterwards read out to the rioters.[3]
In the News
- Mr Reginald Bell, who lives in the Western District, claims the distillation of having ridden 'to Ballarat in 1854 with the order, signed by Sir Charles Hotham, proclaiming martial law on the diggings, and he carried the document concealed in his boot. He was afterwards a tutor in the Coldham family, Mr Walter Coldham, the well-known barrister, having been one of his pupils.[4]
