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David Brown Bell was born and brought up in Scotland and was educated in the public
schools there. He learned the trade of electrician in Edinburgh and came to Canada in
1910. He was fond of outdoor sports and took particular pleasure in football.
He first resided in Cobourg, Ontario, for
two years, but was employed in the Standard Ideal factory in Port Hope when he joined the
21st Battalion in October 1914, training in Kingston and going overseas in May 1915. This
famous battalion went to France as a unit and Bell was attached to the stretcher bearers
section with which he remained throughout his military career. He saw service in Ypres,
St. Eloi, Courcelette, Vimy, Amiens and all the engagements in which his unit
participated.
He rose to the rank of sergeant, won the
Military Medal and Bar and was mentioned in despatches for bravery. He served for nearly
three years in France without a wound but was killed on 27 August 1918 in the great drive
that eventually brought victory to the Allies. His last letters to his wife contained the
news of his promotion to the rank of sergeant.
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Photo and
text reproduced with permission
Taken from the "Book of Remembrance (A
record of the men of Port Hope who participated in the Great War of 1914-1918)" by
James A. Elliott, Chairman of Committee, Port Hope, Jan. 1st, 1919.
Below is a summary
of his service file
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Aug 14, 1887
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Born at Galashields Scotland
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Nov 14, 1914
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Attested into the 21st Battalion at
Kingston Ontario
Ø Number 59053 (temporary number 37)
Ø Next of kin given as Annie Bell (wife) of John St., Port Hope, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Electric Crane Operator
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Presbyterian
Ø Assigned to “A” Company
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May 6, 1915
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Embarked the RMS Metagama at Montreal Quebec
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May 15, 1915
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Disembarked at Devonport England and proceeded
to West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent
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Sep 14, 1915
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Embarked the St Seiriol at Folkestone
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Sep 15, 1915
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Disembarked at Boulogne France
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Apr 15, 1916
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Appointed to rank of Lance Corporal
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Nov 14, 1916
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Awarded the Good Conduct Badge
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Dec 9, 1916
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Awarded the Military Medal per London Gazette
#29854
Citation reads:
For
conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during two days fighting Sept 15/17th. He
brought in many wounded men from "No Man's Land" and especially on the afternoon
of the 16th when under very heavy shell fire he brought in from an advanced position an
Officer who had been seriously wounded
Aut
AFW 3121
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Jan 8, 1917
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Attached to the 4th CIB (Canadian
Infantry Brigade) Transport Section
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Jul 18, 1917
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Reported to Field Ambulance as being sick with
Impetigo in left foot
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Jul 22, 1917
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Transferred to No 6 CCS (Casualty Clearing
Station)
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Jul 30, 1917
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Rejoined the 4th CIB from hospital
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Aug 25, 1917
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Returned to the 21st Battalion
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Oct 19, 1917
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Promoted to rank of Cpl
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Dec 4, 1917
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Granted 14 days leave
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Apr 25, 1918
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Awarded a Bar to Military Medal per London
Gazette #30652
Citation reads:
For
conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In connection with a raid on the enemy
after penetrating through the enemy's front line this NCO displaying marked courage and
determination, led his bombing section in an attack which resulted in the destruction of
the garrison of a hostile post. His appreciation of the situation and handling of it
unquestionably contributed materially to the success of the main raiding party, which
would have been subjected to fire from this post. His example in action has
repeatedly been an inspiration to his comrades
AFW
3121 7-3-18
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Aug 2, 1918
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Promoted to rank of Sgt
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Aug 9, 1918
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Reported to No 22 General Hospital at Camiers
with ICT (Inter Connective Tissue) infection of left foot.
Length of stay was not recorded,
but it is likely that he was not admitted.
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Aug 27, 1918
Killed in Action
Wancourt
British Cemetery
Pas de Calais France
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Oct
1, 1918
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Pension granted to his wife in the amount of
$672.00 per year
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Apr 15, 1921
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British War Medal, Victory Medal and the
1914-15 Star sent to his widow at Box 82, Port Hope Ontario
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Jun 1, 1921
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Plaque and Scroll sent to widow
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Aug 3, 1922
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Memorial Cross sent to widow
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During the
Remembrance Day ceremonies in 2008, Veteran's Affairs Canada conducted a vigil each night
for the week leading up to November 11. This vigil consisted of projecting the names
of every Canadian soldier who is listed with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on
various buildings and monuments across Canada, and in London England. The photo
below shows David Bell's name being projected on the outside wall of Canada House in
London England.
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