Hilliard Brooke Bell

Hilliard Brooke Bell
Born (1897-03-09)9 March 1897
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Died 16 September 1960(1960-09-16) (aged 63)
Unknown
Allegiance Canada
Service/branch Field artillery; aviation
Rank Captain
Unit No. 66 Squadron RAF
Awards Military Cross, Italian Medal of Military Valor

Captain Hilliard Brooke Bell (9 March 1897 – 16 September 1960) was a Canadian-born World War I flying ace credited with 10 aerial victories. He returned to his country's service during World War II.

Early life

Bell enlisted on 23 May 1916. His enlistment papers state he was born 9 March 1897 in Chatham, Ontario. His mother, Sarah Bell, was designated as his next of kin. He was a student claiming residence in Toronto, with one year's militia service. His physical examination noted that he had brown eyes in a dark complexion, topped by dark brown hair. He was 5 feet 7 3/4 inches tall, and had a mole on his right shoulder.[1]

World War I

On 24 August 1917, Bell was appointed a second lieutenant on probation.[2] On 4 September 1917, he was confirmed in rank as a temporary second lieutenant on probation.[3]

Bell scored his aerial victories while stationed as a Sopwith Camel pilot with 66 Squadron on the Italian Front. His first win came on 16 December 1917, when he drove down an enemy Albatros D.V out of control. In early February 1918, he would strike twice more, burning an Albatros D.III on the 4th and destroying an Aviatik on the 6th.[4] On 23 February 1918, even though he was still a second lieutenant, he was appointed a Flight Commander with an accompanying temporary promotion to captain.[5]

On 16 March, Bell drove an Austro-Hungarian Berg D.I down out of control. Three days later, he destroyed an Albatros D.III to become an ace. On 23 April, he flamed another Albatros D.III.[6] On 25 April 1918, he was promoted from second lieutenant to lieutenant.[7]

On 3 May 1918, Bell continued his string by destroying an Albatros D.III over Ormelle. A week later, he set an Albatros D.III afire in midair for a third time.[8]

Bell ended his victory string in early July 1918. On morning patrols on both the 1st and 4th, he destroyed a Pfalz D.III fighter.[9] He was awarded a Military Cross for his valor, with notice of it being posted in the London Gazette on 16 September 1918.[10] On 2 November 1918, he was awarded an Italian Bronze Medal of Military Valor.[11][12]

World War II service

On 11 September 1939, he was appointed as a probationary Pilot Officer in RAF Volunteer Reserve.[13] On 28 December 1939, he was granted substantive appointment as Flying Officer.[14] 9 September 1940 confirmed in rank as Pilot Officer.[15]

On 1 April 1943, he was carried as killed in action on Casualty Communique No. 215.[16]

Endnotes

  1. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/attestation/bell5.php Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  2. ↑ (Flight, 6 September 1917) http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1917/1917%20-%200926.html Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  3. ↑ (Flight, 4 October 1917) http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1917/1917%20-%201032.html Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  4. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/bell5.php Retrieved 13 May 2011.
  5. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 5 April 1918) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30612/supplements/4112 Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  6. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/bell5.php Retrieved 13 May 2011.
  7. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 23 May 1918 http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30699/supplements/6077 Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  8. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/bell5.php Retrieved 13 May 2011.
  9. ↑ http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/canada/bell5.php Retrieved 13 May 2011.
  10. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 September 1918) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30901/supplements/10920 Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  11. ↑ (Flight, 7 November 1918 http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1918/1918%20-%201252.html Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  12. ↑ (Supplement to the London Gazette, 2 November 1918) http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30989/supplements/12978 Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  13. ↑ (Flight, 28 September 1939) http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1939/1939-1-%20-%200892.html Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  14. ↑ (Flight, 30 January 1941) http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1941/1941%20-%200289.html Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  15. ↑ (Flight, 14 November 1940) http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1940/1940%20-%203242.html Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  16. ↑ (Flight, 1 April 1943) http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1943/1943%20-%200853.html Retrieved 9 May 2011.
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