Pictures
|
Pictures
|
Private William Nelson Bell
Unit : Medium Machine Gun Platoon, Headquarters Company, 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion
Army No. : B.133045
Nelson Bell was born on the 5th April 1922. He was killed near the village of Saint-André-d'Hébertot on the 27th August 1944, when a Sten gun was being cleaned and suffered an accidental discharge. The following was published in the Arthur Enterprise News on the 21st September 1944.
Paratrooper Nelson Bell, son of Mr and Mrs J. Harold Bell, of R.R. 1 Arthur, was officially reported killed in action in France on August 27th. He was 22 years of age.
Trooper Bell enlisted in the Tank Corps in September, 1942, and was stationed at Newmarket Camp and Camp Borden. He transferred to 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion in January, 1943, and was sent to Fort Benning Ga., U.S.A. He received his wings at Fort Benning in March, 1943, and after a twenty-day leave was sent to Camp Shilo, Manitoba. His battalion was sent overseas in July, 1943, to take further training. He was among the first paratroopers who 'chuted into France on D-Day.
Surviving are his parents, ten sisters and two brothers. One brother, Bruce, served in the Tank Corps overseas for almost two years and was sent back to Canada in January, 1944, on account of his health. He is now stationed at Camp Borden, Ont. Both boys were in England together and enjoyed many of their leaves together.
Word of Paratrooper Bell's death came as a shock to all who knew him, and his friendly disposition and cheerful way will always be remembered by his loved ones.
The following details the court of inquiry which was held, and gives information of Bell's burial.
Proceedings of a COURT OF INQUIRY
assembled at IN THE FIELD
on the 30 Aug 44
by order of MAJOR G.F. EADIE
for the purpose of inquiring into and reporting upon the circumstances surrounding the death of B.133045 Pte BELL W.N.
PRESIDENT Capt R.C. Hilborn
Members Lt J.A. Rossiter, Lt J.L. Davies
The Court having assembled pursuant to order, proceed to
FIRST WITNESS: F.7275 A/L/Sgt Thurston P.H., Vickers Pl, having been duly sworn states:- "On 27 Aug 44 at approximately 1000 hrs I was in my platoon locality cleaning my Sten and Pistol I was sitting on a pile of straw on the ground. I had cleaned my Sten and put it together and thought that the action was fully forward. I then put the magazine on and then picked up the Sten at the point of balance and placed it on a group of willows on my right side. As I was placing it down 3 shots went off. I then realized it was my Sten firing. I grabbed it and took off the magazine. B.133045 Pte Bell W.H. was standing about 6 feet straight in front of me. As the Sten fired he cried out and I saw him drop to the ground. I immediately administered first aid and called for the stretcher bearers.
1st QUESTION: Have you any idea what made the Sten go off?
ANSWER: The only thing I can think of is it was cocked and as I set it down it caught a twig and went off. I examined it and found nothing wrong.
2nd QUESTION: Has your Sten ever been faulty?
ANSWER: No.
SECOND WITNESS: G.28390 Pte Smith, M.O. Vickers Pl, having duly sworn states:- "On 27 Aug 44 at 1000 hrs I was cleaning my rifle in my platoon locality. I was sitting about 7-8 feet from Sgt Thurston I heard 3 shots and looked up and saw B.133045 Pte Bell W.N. falling to the ground. I ripped off his suspenders tore open his shirt and saw one wound on left side of his chest. I called for a field dressing and applied it. I stood by him until he was taken away in a Jeep."
1st QUESTION: How was B.133045 Pte Bell W.N. wounded.
ANSWER: He was wounded by a Sten going off in the hands of Sgt Thurston.
2nd QUESTION: Are you sure it was Sgt Thurston's Sten.
ANSWER: There were four of us there cleaning weapons and Sgt Thurston was the only one cleaning a Sten.
The above evidence was read back to the witness.
THIRD WITNESS: F.51677 Pte Andrecyk, M., Vickers Pl, having been duly sworn states:- "I was sitting a few feet from Sgt Thurston cleaning my weapon. I saw Sgt Thurston putting his magazine on and cocking his weapon. My attention was drawn to my own weapon until I heard 3 shots and looked up and I saw B.133045 Pte Bell W.N. fall to the ground. I looked at Sgt Thurston and saw he had his Sten in his hand and was looking at it and removing his magazine."
1st QUESTION: Was it the Sten in Sgt Thurston's hand doing the firing.
ANSWER: Yes.
The above evidence was read back to the witness.
FOURTH WITNESS: B.145734 Cpl Meitz, A.W., "C" Coy Med Orderly, having been duly sworn states:- "On 27 Aug 44 at 1000 hrs I was sitting around my platoon locality when I heard 3 shots and then someone called for a medical orderly, I ran over and put some tape on the field dressing already on B.133045 Pte Bell, W.N. He appeared to be very seriously wounded a bullet having entered his chest and come out above his left shoulder blade. I went with the amb jeep to RAP.
The above evidence was read back to the witness.
Fifth WITNESS: 14516018 Pte Stewart J of 224 Para Fd Amb having been duly sworn states:- "I am a regimental medical orderly attached to 1 Cdn Para Bn. At 1015 hrs 27 Aug 44 I was at the RAP when a jeep drove in with B.133045 Pte Bell W.N. A serious casualty, he had been shot in the chest. I assisted putting him on another jeep and set out for the MDS. I was sitting beside Pte Bell during this journey. At approx 1030 I witnessed the death of Pte Bell W.N. whilst en route to the MDS.
The above evidence was read back to the witness.
A Court of Inquiry assembled to inquire into and report upon the circumstances surrounding the death of:
B.133045 Pte Bell, W.N.
Signed at in the Field this 30th day of Aug 1944
(Signed) R.C. Hilborn, Capt, 1 Cdn Para Bn BLA PRESIDENT
(Signed) J.A. Rossiter, Lt, 1 Cdn Para Bn BLA )
(Signed) J.L. Davies, Lt, 1 Cdn Para Bn BLA ) MEMBERS
The findings of this court:
1. B.133045 Pte Bell W.N. died at approx 1030 hrs 27 Aug 44.
2. Pte Bell died from gunshot wounds in the chest.
3. The shots that injured Pte Bell W.N. were fired from a sten in the hands of F.7275 A/L/Sgt Thurston P.H.
Opinion of the CO:
It is my opinion that B.133045 Pte Bell W.N. died of gunshot wounds in the chest at approx 1030 hrs 27 Aug 44, caused by the accidental discharge of a sten gun in the hands of F.7275 L/Sgt Thurston P.H.
(Signed) G.F. Eadie, Maj, a/CO 1 Cdn Para Bn.
I consider that Pte W.N. Bell was accidentally killed by a gunshot wound in the chest. Negligence on the part of Sgt P.H. Thurston was the cause of the accident.
(Signed) S.J.L. Hill, Brig, Comd 3 Para Bde. 2 Sep 44. BLA.
Certified true copy
(W.H. Hemphill) Maj, DAA & QMG, Cdn Liaison Sec, HQ 6 Airborne Div.
The proceedings are APPROVED. There is no evidence of "improper conduct" within the meaning of Overseas RO 4633 on the part of B133045 Pte Bell W.N.
(Signed R.F. Sheppard, Major. D.A.A.G. A.G.4, Canadian Military Headquarters)
for (E.G. Weeks) Major-General,
In Charge of Administration. CANADIAN MILITARY HEADQUARTERS.
14 May 45
MEMORANDUM
A.G.4
Court of Inquiry - 30 Aug 44
Death - B-133045 Pte Bell W.N.
1 Cdn Para Bn
1. The m/n certified copy proceedings were forwarded by DAA & QMG Cdn Liaison Sec, HQ 6 Airborne Div. Originals were lost in operations.
2. The evidence reveals that in NWE on 28 Aug 44 the m/n soldier died as a result of wounds caused by shots fired accidentally from Sten gun in the hands of A/L/Sgt Thurston. While there was negligence on the part of Sgt Thurston, on the recommendation of Comd 3 Para Bde no disciplinary action was taken.
3. There is no evidence of improper conduct on the part of Pte Bell. An endorsement accordingly has been placed on the two copies of the proceedings for signature on behalf of the MGA, which I recommend.
(T.M. Donald) Maj
A.G.4a
Canadian Military Headquarters
Staff College,
Minley Manor,
Camberley
Sunday.
Dear Roger
You may remember some days ago I told you about the grave of a Canadian Parachutist that my late adjutant had found in a tour in Normandy. This grave is being very well kept by some local people who have adopted it but it is not in the official cemetery. I said I would get details for you and I now have them. The soldier is No B 133045 Private W.N. BELL, 1 Cdn Para Bn, Died 21 Aug 44.
The grave is in a village called Saint Andre d'Hebertot which is not far from Pont Audemer - it is on the East of this place. The grave is being tended extremely well by Madame Charles Herbert, who will show anyone where it is. She lives, I imagine in St Andre d'Hebertot. The grave is in the woods directly opposite the chateau.
Yours
OTTAWA, 3rd April, 1948
Mrs Annie I. Bell,
R.R. #1,
Arthur, Ontario.
Dear Mrs Bell,
Information has just been received from overseas that the remains of your son, B.133045 Private William Nelson Bell, have now been carefully exhumed from the original place of interment and reverently reburied in grave 20, row C, plot 16, of Bayeux British Cemetery, Bayeux, France. This is a recognized military burial ground which will receive care and maintenance in perpetuity.
The grave has been marked with a temporary cross which will be replaced in due course by a permanent headstone suitably inscribed. While it cannot now be stated when this work of permanent commemoration will begin, before any action is taken you will be communicated with and an opportunity will be given you to submit a short personal inscription of your own choice for engraving on the headstone. Therefore, if you should change your address would you be good enough to inform the undersigned.
Yours faithfully
A/Director,
War Service Records.
My thanks to Julia Milton, Nelson Bell's cousin, for this information.