William Bell-Armes (1878-1933, hereafter WBA) is believed to have attended the Norwich School of Art and then worked for a number of local firms including Caleys/Tom Smith's crackers, Boulton and Paul and possibly Page Brothers. He was a contemporary and friend of Alfred Munnings and painted with him at times. Munnings also appears to have worked for Page Brothers and Caleys/Tom Smith's crackers. WBA lived in Norwich at 10 Esdelle Street (from the 1901 census when his occupation is recorded as an architectural draughtsman) and then 58 Plumstead Road (from the 1911 census where his occupation is still architectural draughtsman).

WBA was the son of William F. Armes (1852-1935) and Elizabeth Susannah Armes (1851-1936, daughter of John Bell). WBA married Maud Alice May Sutton (1884-?) . His siblings were Clement John Wayside Armes (1880-1965) and Harry Louis Armes (1882-1970). WBA's grandparents were Stephen Armes and Hannah Emma Armes (? nee Holt)