:Edward Wells Bell

{{Short description|British Army general}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}

{{Infobox military person

|name=Edward Wells Bell

|birth_date= {{circa}} 1789

|death_date=9 October 1870

|birth_place= Birmingham, UK

|death_place= Kempsey, Worcestershire, UK

|placeofburial= Kempsey, Worcestershire, UK

|image=

|caption=

|nickname=

|allegiance={{UK}}

|serviceyears=

|rank=General

|branch={{army|United Kingdom}}

|commands=7th Regiment of Foot

|unit=

|battles=

{{tree list}}

• Peninsular War
• War of 1812

{{tree list/end}}

|awards=

|laterwork= Lieutenant-Governor of Jamaica; Colonel of the 66th Foot

}}

General Edward Wells Bell ({{circa}} 1789 – 9 October 1870) was a senior British Army officer and Lieutenant-Governor of Jamaica.

He joined the British army as an ensign and was promoted lieutenant in 1811, captain in 1822, major in 1826, lieutenant-colonel in 1830, colonel in 1846, lieutenant-general in 1860 and full general in 1868.{{cite book|title=Wellington's Men Remembered: A Register of Memorials to Soldiers ..., Volume 1|first=Janet and David|last=Bromley}}

He served with the 7th Regiment of Foot during the Peninsular War and took part in the Battles of Vittoria, Salamanca, Nivelle and Nive, amongst others.

He then fought in North America in 1814–15, where he was present at the Battle of New Orleans before moving to command the troops in Jamaica, where he was appointed Lieutenant Governor in 1856 (until 1857).{{cite book|title=The Gentleman's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle, for the Year 1855, Volume 198|page=86| first=Edward| last=Cave}}

In 1859 he was given the Colonelcy of the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot, which he held until his death in 1870.{{London Gazette|issue=22346|page=147|date=17 January 1860}}

He married Mary Anne Chapman, widow of Captain Henry Robert Battersby RN (married 10 May 1816 and died 28 Nov 1816),National Archive Catalogue Reference: ADM 6/356/10 daughter of William Chapman and Isabella Nevin, and niece of Sir Benjamin Chapman (1st Baronet) and Sir Thomas Chapman Kt (2nd Baronet) of Killua Castle, County Westmeath.From copy of marriage settlement supplied by Thomas Woodcock when Somerset Herald to G Hudson relating to marriage to Edward Wells Bell Their son Major-General Edward William Derrington Bell won the VC during the Crimean War.