Street to be named after ‘selfless’ para

Councillors will decide next week whether a new street should be named after Private Martin Bell, of Wrose.

In January last year Private Bell, of the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment, was fatally injured by a bomb as he went to the rescue of a fellow soldier who had been injured by a similar explosive device in Helmand Province.

He was awarded a posthumous George Medal for his selfless action which saved the life of his comrade.

The 24-year-old former Salt Grammar School pupil and Police Community Support Officer had joined the army in 2009.

The developer Keepmoat Homes is building a new housing development off Leeds Road and Woodend Crescent, Shipley.

After consulting with the soldier’s parents and with the support of the developer, Worth Valley Councillor Glen Miller is proposing that the committee consider naming one of the new streets ‘Martin Bell Walk’.

Councillor Miller said: “Martin disobeyed an order to save the life of a comrade which he successfully did but lost his own life in as a direct consequence of that brave act.

“Further to agreeing that a street be named after him, his parents expressed a wish that it be as close to his former home as possible and this new development presents the best and closest opportunity to fulfil their wishes.”