Duncan Bell

Thank you to Bruce Kettles for providing the service file

 

Dec 30, 1889

Born at Port Ellen, Islay, Argyll & Bute, Scotland

 

Dec 9, 1915

Attested into the 96th Battalion at Saskatoon Saskatchewan 

Ø      Number 204041

Ø      Next of kin given as Edward Bell, father, of Bowmore Argyle, Scotland

Ø      Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Baptist

 

Mar 23, 1916

Appointed to the provisional rank of Lance Corporal

 

Sep 27, 1916

Embarked the SS Laconia at Halifax Nova Scotia

 

Oct 6, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England and proceeded to the East Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent.  On arrival he was appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal

 

Oct 8, 1916

Transferred to the 92nd Battalion at East Sandling

 

Jan 1, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Acting Corporal with pay

 

Jan 4, 1917

Transferred to the 5th Reserve Battalion at the Bramshott Camp

 

Jan 20, 1917

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Jan 21, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) at the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 1,022 reinforcements from England, and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion.  Upon arrival in France he was required to revert to the rank of Private.  This was later reversed, and he was allowed to keep his rank of Acting Corporal

 

Feb 20, 1917

Confirmed in the rank of Corporal

 

Aug 16, 1917

During the attack at Hill 70, Cpl Bell was severely wounded in the arms, legs and back.  After receiving initial treatment at a Field Ambulance, he was transferred to the No 22 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

 

Aug 19, 1917

Cpl Bell died of his wounds at the No 22 CCS 


Bruay Communal Cemetery
Bruay France
 

Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Edward Bell, at Bowmore, Argyle, Scotland.

There was no Memorial Cross issued

 

2008

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 Cpl Bell's name being projected on the outside wall of Canada House in London England.



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