Mrs. Eva Mary Bell
G. R. H. writes:— The passing of Eva Mary Bell—widow of Lieutenant-Colonel G. H. Bell, of the Indian Army—should be marked by some record, if only in general terms, of her noteworthy services, and some tribute to the charm and strength of her personality. Her great work was that of interpreting this country to Indian soldiers and their womenfolk, into whose outlook she had won, from early days, a sympathetic insight. Her tact, her affection, and her high ideals fitted her admirably for this almost lifelong task, and she was frequently rewarded by grateful and touching tributes from Indian soldiers. Her work was essentially personal and unassuming, carried on without official publicity. It was, nevertheless, recognized by an O.B E. and by the Kaisar-i-Hind medal. As a young woman, writing under the pseudonym John Travers, Eva Bell won some deserved reputation by a number of novels set in the Indian scene. The natural trend of her imagination was, however, towards action and administration. To serious thought and a wide grasp of affairs she added a quick wit, warmth, and grace of manner, and an individual beauty both of face and of voice. All these contributed to make her memorable.
The Times. Feb. 18, 1959 p. 13.