David's father was a soldier in the 65th regiment. Leaving school at 15, David enlisted in his father's regiment, being sent to London and afterwards to Portsmouth. He was in the Isle of Wight when a draft from the 65th and 58th regiments was sent from the depot to New Zealand. The detachment arrived in Auckland in June 1854, by the ship "Egmont," and was sent on to Wellington. When the 65th regiment was called to Auckland, to relieve the 58th regiment, recalled to England, he remained in New Zealand, and returning to Auckland, was sent to the front when war broke out in Taranaki
In 1869 he went into business as a grain and produce merchant in Willis Street. Afterwards he started hotel-keeping in Waipawa, where he continued for two years. Coming back to Wellington, he began business as a general carrier, founding a line of coaches to Island Bay. In 1895 he had a short experience as licensee of the Island Bay hotel.

written 1897 .. Mr David Bell, one of New Zealand's old soldiers, was born in Kerry, Ireland, in 1838, his father being a soldier in the 65th regiment. Leaving school at fifteen, Mr Bell enlisted in his father's regiment, being sent to London and Afterwards to Portsmouth. He was in the Isle of Wight when a draft from the 65th and 58th regiments was sent from the depot to New Zealand. The detachment — of which Mr Bell was one — arrived in Auckland in June, 1854, by the ship "Egmont," and was sent on to Wellington, Mr Bell joining the band of the regiment.
When the 65th regiment was called to Auckland, to relieve the 58th regiment, who were recalled to England, he remained in New Zealand and returning to Auckland, was sent to the front when war broke out in Taranaki. After some active service, his company was ordered back to Auckland to reinforce the garrison till the arrival of the 14th regiment from England, after which he was sent to the front, where he remained till the difficulty was settled.
He served under General Cameron in the Auckland campaign, being engaged in making roads from Drury to the Queen's Redoubt and Waikato River in the Waikato district. Mr Bell was amongst those chosen for the well-known Flying Column, which, with such officers as Colonel Nixon, Major Walmsley, Captain Pye, Ensign (now Lieut-Colonel) McDonnell and the famous Von Tempsky, kept the means of communication open in difficult times in the Waikato. He also saw active service at the Queen's Redoubt, Pokono Hill, Te Awamutu, Otahuhu, the Gate Pah and at other engagements. When peace was proclaimed in Te Awamutu and Waikato the officers reformed the Band, Mr Bell being appointed Band Sergeant and Band Master. They also offered to send Mr Bell, on the regiment's return to England, to Weller Hall Military School of Music for three years at their own expense to improve his knowledge. Mr Bell, however, declined the offer and took his discharge at Otahuhu when peace was declared.
He became Band Master of the Wellington City and Wanganui No. 1 Rifles Bands. He was presented on public parade with a Baritone instrument by the late Lieutenant-Colonel Reader and was promoted from Band Master to a Commission as Ensign and afterwards to the post of Lieutenant.
Coming to Wellington he secured an appointment in the chief Post Office, which he held for about four years. In 1869 Mr Bell went into business as a grain and produce merchant in Willis Street Afterwards he started hotel-keeping in Waipawa, where he continued for two years. Coming back to Wellington, he began business as a general carrier, founding a line of coaches to Island Bay. In 1895 he had a short experience as licensee of the Island Bay Hotel. Mr Bell, who is a widower with three sons and four daughters now resides at No 9, Moir Street, Wellington.

Evening Post, 23 Nov 1925, at his residence, Nireaha, David Bell; aged 86. Deeply regretted

Mr David Bell, of Nireaha, a Maori War veteran, died yesterday afternoon at the age of 86 years. The deceased was a corporal in the 65th Regiment and served in New Zealand till 1866, being in the big engagements at Bloc and Omata. He was an enthusiastic member of the Maori War Veterans' Association. In the procession at the funeral of the late Prime Minister the late Mr Bell, despite his age, was one of the Maori War veterans who followed on foot.
The deceased was last in Wellington during the visit of the United States Fleet, when he was one of the representative Maori War veterans who were present at various functions. Mr Bell was bandmaster of the Wellington City and Wanganui No 1 Rifles bands and in Wellington held a position in the Postal Service for some years. He then went into business as a grain and produce merchant and later kept a hotel at Waipawa. Returning to Wellington, he started a carrying business and founded a line of coaches to island bay. For the past 25 years he occupied a farm at Nireaha. He was an ardent horticulturist and had one of the best collections of flowering shrubs in the Dominion
The late Mr Bell left three sons, of whom Messrs, Albert and Bernard Bell reside at Nireaha and Mr David Bell at Wellington and four daughters, of whom Miss Bell and Mrs Christie reside at Nireaha and Mrs Rutter and Mrs Lawrence at Wellington.
The body of the late Mr Bell will be brought to Wellington for the funeral on Thursday

Evening Post, 5 Dec 1925 There passed away on Monday, November 23 1925, one of Wellington's very early settlers, Mr David Bell, who had been farming at Nireaha for many years and had one of the most up-to-date farms in the Dominion. Quite a large number of relatives and friends attended the funeral, both at Nireaha and Wellington where his body was taken to be cremated at Karori. Mr Bell left a grown family to mourn the loss of a devoted parent. Messrs A. Bell, D. Bell, N. Bell, the daughters being Miss Bell (Nireaha), Mrs Christie (Nireaha), Mrs J. W. Lawrence, Wallace street, Wellington. Mrs J. T. Rutter, Kelburn, Wellington. Mrs Bell predeceased her husband by a number of years

NOTE David died at Nireaha. His body was brought down and cremated at Karori on 26 Nov and his ashes removed. I believe they were 'put' (buried, scattered) with his family here.

David married Elizabeth 'Eliza' O'Loughlin (1840-1888) & had 9 children (4 boys). She died 37 years before him .. His Family & Timeline .. http://tinyurl.com/bdcumunf