We Remember

William W. Bell

Rank: 
Sergeant
Regimental number: 
10555
Unit at enlistment: 
4th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
Yes
Cemetery: 
Greenwood Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario
Commemorated at: 
First Baptist Church, Grace Anglican Church, Ancient Order of Foresters
Birth country: 
England
Birth county: 
Greater London
Birth city: 
London, St. Pancras
Address at enlistment: 
270 Brant Avenue, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
270 Brant Avenue, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Letter carrier
Employer: 
Brantford Post Office
Religious denominations: 
Church of England
Marital status: 
Married
Age at enlistment: 
35

Letters and documents

BX April 29, 1915

His Job is Not a Bed of Roses – Pte. Bell, of Brantford, Has Had Some Exciting Experiences While Acting as Mail Carrier

The life of a mail orderly carrying letters from home to the men on the firing line is not exactly a safe position, and Corporal William W. Bell, of this city, who had a go at it, admits that it is nicer being further back with the headquarters of the artillery. The following letter has been received from him in France:

April 10, 1915

Dear Friend,

I am with the artillery now. I am attached at headquarters of the 1st Brigade of Artillery, and they are always out of range, so that you see that it is better than having to go into the trenches with mail when I was in the infantry. The mail used to go into the trenches with the rations of their food, and it was very dangerous. Where I am now there is no need to worry. On the mail I get a good chance to see the country and towns. At one place where we were the Germans were shelling it and it was rather exciting to hear the shells going shrilling or whistling over our heads and then burst about a quarter of a mile away. One could hear the report and in about two minutes the whistle of the shell. I was only looking on. The town was nearly vacant. Nearly everybody had left their homes. Nearly every town that we have been in the churches have been blown up and set fire to and lots of houses blown to pieces. There was one town we were at in which there lived a little girl about five years old. When the Germans came through they asked her which way the French had gone and because she couldn’t tell them they cut her right hand off. Poor kiddy, it looked an awful shame.
I Saw Steve Cara today. Everybody is O.K. in the 4th Battalion, with only one man killed in action.

The tobacco the postmen sent from Brantford was welcomed, and when you send tobacco and cigarettes be sure to register them. Don’t pay any duty, as tobacco comes free to us on active service.

Corp. W.W. Bell,
1st Brigade, C.F.A.
Mail Orderly,
First Canadian Contingent

BX May 1, 1915

Private Bell Safe and Well – Cablegram Announces that Former Brantford Postman Escaped in Fierce Fighting

Private William W. Bell, one of the local mail carriers who went to Valcartier with the 25th Brant Dragoons, and who was attached to the 4th Battalion, which suffered so heavily in the recent fighting around Ypres is safe and well

A cablegram to this effect was received yesterday by his wife Mrs. W.W. Bell, 270 Brant Avenue, thus relieving greatly her anxiety, as that battalion has suffered most heavily of all the Canadian regiments.

The cablegram was received from Pte. Bell’s sister in London, England, and was as follows:

April 29, 1915,
London

Mrs. Bell
Belle Villa,
Brantford

Letter from Will. Safe and well
Mealey.

Pte. Bell was well known in this city, he having been a mail carrier for some time. He was a veteran of the South African War, and when the European war broke out, and cavalry was called for, he enlisted with the 25th Brant Dragoons first active service contingent. When the word was given out that cavalry would not be taken over with the First Contingent, he transferred to the 4th Battalion infantry. His many friends here will be pleased to learn that he is still safe and well.

BX May 7, 1915

Letters Were Written Before the Big Fight – Yesterday’s Mail Brought Letters From Officers and Men at the Front – Lieut. Jones Refers to Some Terrible Sights Seen Along Roadside as Troops March Along

A letter was received in the city from Corporal William W. Bell, No. 10555, who left Brantford with the First Contingent, and is with the general headquarters staff in France. He states that he is well and safe, always being several miles from the actual firing line. The letter follows:

Just a line to let you know I am well. I am getting your letters alright now. Also letter from Gus. Cutmore. Don’t worry about me. I will be O.K. The weather is getting fine now; I am as brown as an Indian. We are getting good food and lots of clothes. I saw a church and graveyard yesterday that the Germans had shelled. It was something awful. I was about 5 miles away when it was done. I am on the headquarters staff and they are always a long distance away from the firing line. Although I have a Ross rifle and a .45 Colt revolver and lots of ammunition, I haven’t fired a shot yet.

I saw Gillingwater yesterday. He is with the divisional headquarters staff. We will both be as safe as anyone. Letter from George Baird yesterday. I am going for the mail now, so bye-bye.

Love to all,
Will

Corporal W.W. Bell, No. 1055
Mail Orderly First Brigade, 
C.F.A. Headquarters Staff,
First Canadian Contingent

BX June 16, 1915

Supreme at Shell-Dodging – Sergt. W.W. Bell Confident He Can Beat Any Man in Hitting the Dirt

If there is a man in Brantford who can beat him to the ground at ducking shells, Sergeant William W. Bell, late of the post office, now with the first Canadian contingent Postal Corps would like to know him. Sergt. Bell has had a lot of war service practice at the game, and is confident he could win out.

He tells of this shell-dodging game in a letter to Mrs. Madge Stevens, his sister-in-law here. His letter reads:

May 27, 1915

Dear Madge,

Just a few lines in answer to your welcome letters and card. Well Madge, we are in it again, and doing our little part. It is great fun to watch who can drop or duck the quickest when under shell fire, as when the shell bursts. If you are flat on the ground, the pieces go over you, or if they hit you they have lost their force, so will not hurt you badly, so you see the sense of dropping or ducking to the ground. Oh! I bet I can beat anybody in Brantford in dropping or ducking shells. Ho! Ho! Of course, if they hit you, it is a case of looking for the pieces, which quite often happens. In fact, one burst along side of one of our ammunition wagons and killed five horses and one driver, whom we buried in a blanket, just a few pieces was all we could find of him.

I ride over France and Belgium at present. I ride horseback for about six miles to the field post office for our mail. I go through quite a large town, and it surely is a nice place. I see more of the country than any other man in the brigade, as every time we move, I have to go out and hunt for the field post office. One time I had to go 12 miles. I saw a lot of Brantford boys yesterday – they are all looking fine.

The First Contingent has certainly made a name for themselves and the others must do well to keep it up. If you could hear the British troops speak about us, you would be proud to be a Canadian. When we are moving and pass any troops along the road, and they find out we are Canadians, they want to give us anything they have and cannot do enough for us.

Well Madge, I presume Brantford is slow with so many boys away. Glad to hear everybody is all serene. Well I must ring off or this letter will never reach you O.K. Love to all, your affectionate brother-in-law Bill.

Sergt. W.W. Bell

BX February 27, 1918

On His Way Home

A cablegram has been received from Corporal William Bell stating that he is on his way home. Corp. Bell enlisted at the outbreak of the war and left Valcartier with the first Brantford Company under Captain Colquhoun. He has never been a casualty and is returning under the special arrangement whereby married soldiers of the first contingent are getting a three months’ leave to visit Canada. He has recently been with the First Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. Mrs. Bell and family reside at 270 Brant Avenue.

BX March 21, 1918

At Halifax

Gunner William W. Bell, Sergeant Thomas Hugh Campbell and Bombardier Samuel Scott of Brantford have arrived at Halifax and will reach their home cities; it is expected in a few days.

BX March 23, 1918

Are Returning

A party of 438 officers and men arrived in Halifax on Thursday. The veterans, including a few furlough men, are expected to reach Toronto on Monday. The Brantford men include: William W. Bell, Pte. William Keighley, 281 Market Street; Samuel Scott, Harry Shaw, Francis George Westacott and Robert A. Wilson

BX March 25, 1918

Arrived Home

Some of the veterans expected in the city got in on Sunday and joined their families, who were hardly expecting them home until today. Those who arrived were William W. Bell, William Keighley, Samuel Scott, Francis George Westacott and Harry Shaw. Secretary MacDonald of the Soldiers’ Aid said this morning that there would be arrivals almost every day for some time now, and it was almost impossible to keep track of the men as they come in.

BX July 24, 1940

William W. Bell Died This Morning – Letter Carrier for Nearly 30 Years – Boer War and Great War Veteran

The death occurred this morning at the Brantford general Hospital of William W. Bell, well-known local resident and for the past 30 years a valued employee of the Post Office.  He was removed to the hospital from his home, 24 West Street, last night.

Mr. Bell was born in London England, and came to Brantford 42 years ago.  He served with the British Imperial Forces in the Boer War, after which he returned to this City and entered the Post Office as a letter carrier.  On the outbreak of the First Great War Mr. Bell immediately enlisted and became attached to the Headquarters’ Staff, First Regiment, C.F.A.  He was demobilized in May, 1918.  For his lengthy war services Mr. Bell was entitled to wear the Queen Victoria Medal, Victory Medal, Service Medal and Long Service Medal.

He was a popular member of the Springboks, an organization composed of South African War veterans, and was an honorary life member of the Dalhousie Street Sergeants’ Mess. Fraternally he was a member of harmony lodge, I.O.O.F. and of Brant Lodge, A.F. and A.M.

Postmaster Comments

Postmaster Herbert J. Hartley, commenting this morning on the death of Mr. Bell, said: “He was a valued member of the Post Office staff and was a conscientious worker, always on the job when health permitted.  Unfortunately, he had been in poor health for a number of years.”

Mr. Bell, who was in his 60th year, leaves to mourn his passing two sons, Percy, Windsor and Kenneth, at home; also, two daughters, Mrs. James Hillier, Camden, N.J., and Patricia at home.  He is resting at the Beckett Funeral Home, Brant Avenue.  Arrangements for the funeral will be made later.

BX July 26, 1940

Bell, William W. (10555)

William W. Bell

Funeral services for William W. Bell were conducted Friday afternoon from the Beckett Funeral Home with interment in Greenwood Cemetery, Rev. Thomas A. Madden, Rector of St. Luke’s Anglican Church, officiated. The services were attended by members o the local postal staff, members of the Canadian Legion and comrades of the Springbok Association.  At the graveside, honors of the Independent Order of Oddfellows were conferred the service being in charge of Noble Grand Ken Coles.  The Chaplain’s service was performed by Fred Hayhurst.  Legion comrades filed past the grave and dropped poppies on the casket.  Bugler George Renwick sounded “Last Post” and “reveille.”  Pallbearers, all Brantford letter carriers, were Frank Ion, Vern Cook, Alfred Bowtle, Alfred Hudson, Alex Morris and Alfred Stuart.  The flower bearers, also of the postal staff, included J.R. Berry, H. Holding, R.H. Andrews, D. Hawke, J. Simpson and C. Baldwin.

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