Frank Bell (aviator)
Encyclopedia
Sergeant Frank William Bell was actually George Stanley Bell. George had joined the territorial army
in 1914 and was subsequently called up at the outbreak of World War II
. Late in 1914 he deserted the army, but in 1915 he joined the Royal Flying Corps
by changing his name and age, hence the discrepancies in the records. In his log book he signed his name as G. W Bell and his military records show an earlier date of birth. He was (born 23rd August 1897, date of death 1960) He was a World War I
observer and air gunner in the Royal Air Force
. He was a flying ace
credited, together with his pilot, with six aerial victories.
On 23 August 1918, which was his 21st birthday, "Frank's" Bermudian
pilot, Lieutenant Arthur Rowe Spurling
launched a single-plane attack on thirty German D.VIIs
fighters, claiming destruction of three with his DH-9's fixed, forward-firing machine gun, while "Frank" Bell claimed two more with his rear gun which he meticulously cleaned after every mission so it never jammed. Spurling was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
, largely on the strength of this action and Bell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal
. Two days later Spurling downed a sixth D.VII.
Territorial Army
The Territorial Army is the part time volunteer force of the British Army. With around 35,500 members, the TA forms about a quarter of the overall manpower strength of the British Army. TA members regularly volunteer to serve overseas on operations, either with TA units, or as individuals...
in 1914 and was subsequently called up at the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Late in 1914 he deserted the army, but in 1915 he joined the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
by changing his name and age, hence the discrepancies in the records. In his log book he signed his name as G. W Bell and his military records show an earlier date of birth. He was (born 23rd August 1897, date of death 1960) He was a World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
observer and air gunner in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. He was a flying ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited, together with his pilot, with six aerial victories.
On 23 August 1918, which was his 21st birthday, "Frank's" Bermudian
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
pilot, Lieutenant Arthur Rowe Spurling
Arthur Spurling
Squadron Leader Arthur Rowe Spurling was a Bermudian who served during the First World War as an infantryman and an aviator, becoming an ace, credited with six aerial victories, and as a ferry pilot during the Second World War....
launched a single-plane attack on thirty German D.VIIs
Fokker D.VII
The Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
fighters, claiming destruction of three with his DH-9's fixed, forward-firing machine gun, while "Frank" Bell claimed two more with his rear gun which he meticulously cleaned after every mission so it never jammed. Spurling was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
, largely on the strength of this action and Bell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal
Distinguished Flying Medal
The Distinguished Flying Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Air Force and the other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active...
. Two days later Spurling downed a sixth D.VII.