MILITARY HISTORY
Private William James Bell – 175092 – Active Service (World War I)
On March 1st, 1916 William Bell completed the Attestation Paper for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), in Hamilton, Ontario. He was 37 years, and 5 months old, married to Gertrude Bell, with four children. He enlisted for the duration of the War. William Bell indicated that he was born in Lakefield, Ontario and gave his birth date as October 14th, 1878.
The Attestation Paper does not indicate where he was educated or to what level. His current address was listed as 11 Harvey Street, Hamilton, Ontario. He indicated that he had previous Military experience of 15 months in the Hamilton Home Guards. As far as his occupation, he indicates that he was employed in “hay pressing”. William was 6’ 1’’ tall and had a 36” chest (expanded). He had a dark complexion, brown eyes, and black hair. His medical examination took place in Hamilton, Ontario, on February 29th, 1916. He had no medical issues or physical limitations, and as such he was deemed fit.
His next-of-kin was listed as his wife Mrs. Gertrude Bell.
William Bell signed the Oath and Certificate of Attestation on March 1st, 1916. The Certificate of Magistrate was signed by the Justice on March 4th, 1916, also in Hamilton, Ontario. William Bell was taken-on-strength as a ”Private” with the 4th Canadian Division, Machine Gun Corp, 86th Machine Gun Battalion, 57th Regiment, CEF and he was assigned Regimental Service Number 175092. Private William James Bell was somewhat of a rarity; a Black soldier in a regular CEF Battalion.
The Certificate of Officer Commanding Unit was signed March 4th, 1916 also in Hamilton, Ontario. The 86th Machine Gun Battalion embarked for Britain on May 19, 1916. Private Bell arrived in England aboard the R.M.S. Adriatic on May 19th, 1916.
On June 22, 1916, the 86th Machine Gun Battalion was re-designated the Canadian Machine Gun Depot. After training, the men were transferred as reinforcements sent to various machine gun units that were serving on the Western Front.
Private Bell proceeded to France on December 5th, 1917. The 4th Machine Gun Battalion was formed on the 26th of February 1918. Private Bell was taken on strength in the field to the 4th Battalion on March 15th, 1918.
His Battalion saw action in the Somme, France then returned to Flanders in April 1918 fighting in the defense of Hinges Ridge during the Battle of Hazebrouck, also known as the Battle of Lys and in the Battle of Bethune, the advance in Flanders, the second Battle of Arras, the Battle of Hindenburg line and the final advance in Picardy.
Private Bell was returned to England May 20th, 1918. Private Bell was treated for jaundice on June 21, 1918, and an injury to his left knee.
Private Bell was designated as an invalid due to his illness on May 7th, 1919, and returned to Canada on June 6th, 1919 aboard the H.M.H.S. St. Denis, a hospital ship.
Private Bell received the British Volunteer War Medal although it is not mentioned in his military file
.
An excerpt from an article in Maclean’s by Barbara Ameil, September 1996:
“‘The Military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honourable”.
William James Bell
PERSONAL HISTORY
William James Bell was born ‘Epaphroditus William James Bell’ in Lakefield on October 14, 1877, son of Bridget Ann Bush and George Bell. He later was known as William James Bell and received his education in Lakefield.
William moved to Hamilton and worked as a Bellboy at the Royal Hamilton Connaught Hotel. Then he met Gertrude Aileen Holland and he did factory work as a brass plater. On July 22, 1903, William James Bell married Gertrude Aileen Holland in Hamilton, Ontario. Gertrude Holland was born in Oakville, Ontario on August 18, 1880. She was the daughter of Margaret Felston and William H. Holland. William and Gertrude made their home in Hamilton and had a family of four children – Aileen Gertrude, Gordon Richard, Gerald Henry and Ewan Henson Bell. For a time William worked with Gertrude’s father, William Henson Holland and her uncle Thomas John Holland in their fruit, hay and feed businesses. William was a hay presser operating the International Harvester going from farm to farm doing custom work on the outskirts of Hamilton baling hay for the local farmers.
On March 1, 1916, William Bell enlisted in Hamilton, Ontario to serve his King and country. William received some debilitating injuries and was discharged from active duty on June 16, 1919. He returned home to Hamilton and had a difficult time adjusting to life after the war and coping with PTSD. His father-in-law was a great help assisting William get back on his feet as he had fought in some of the vicious battles of the U.S. Civil War and knew the toll the Great War had taken on him. William passed away in the Christie Veteran’s Hospital in Toronto on August 14, 1944 and Gertrude died on April 12, 1905; both are buried in Woodland Cemetery in Hamilton, Ontario.
FAMILY OF WILLIAM JAMES BELL
The paternal grandparents of William James Bell were Dianna and George Bell.
The maternal grandparents of William James Bell were Johanna Harrigan and James Bush of Warsaw, Ontario.
The parents of William James Bell were George Bell and Bridget Ann Bush. George Bell was born in New York, USA in 1833 and later came to Canada. He married Bridget Ann Bush in Lakefield on October 4, 1876. Bridget was born in Limerick, Ireland in 1849 and was the daughter of Johanna Harrigan and James Bush of Warsaw, Ontario. George and Bridget made their home in Lakefield and George worked as a labourer. They had two children William James born on October 14, 1877 and Catherine Mary born on October 20, 1879. George and Bridget remained in the Lakefield area. Sadly George passed away in Smith Township, Peterborough County on June 26, 1898 of stomach cancer at the age of 65 years. Bridget passed away in Toronto on April 12, 1905, age 65 years.