Arthur Bell was born in Point Edward, Ontario on March 26, 1891, the son of Henry Bell (born in England, a conductor, who would become the immigration inspector of the city of Sarnia) and Mary Jane (nee Brook) Bell, of 288 Campbell Street, Sarnia. His siblings included Edith (born 1876); Ella (born 1876); Albert James (born 1878); Harry Henry (born 1884); Alice (born 1890); and half sibling Ettie (born 1882). Arthur was described as well known and popular, having lived in the Sarnia vicinity nearly his whole life. A few years before enlisting, he went west, residing in Winnipeg, Edmonton and Medicine Hat. He had returned to Sarnia about three years prior to his enlistment. Arthur enlisted October 26, 1915 in Sarnia with the Canadian Mounted Rifles Regiment. Single at the time, he listed his occupation as a machinist. After a time spent training in London and Hamilton, he left for overseas in May 1916.
He would become a member of the Army, Canadian Service Corps, Reinforcement Pool as a Private, serving for some time with the infantry in France. He would later be employed at the Ordinance Mobile Workships in France, where he was engaged at his occupation as a machinist. On October 11th, 1917, he was admitted to a hospital in France with tonsillitis. On October 13, 1917, Arthur would lose his life while in the French hospital. Arthur William Bell would officially be listed as, Died (Tonsilitis) at St. John’s Ambulance Brigade Hospital, Etaples, France. On October 17th, 1917, Arthur’s father Henry Bell in Sarnia would receive the following telegram:
October 17, 1917 to H. Bell, Immigration Inspector, Sarnia, Ontario
Deeply regret to inform you 226053, Private Arthur William Bell, previously reported seriously ill, now officially reported died at St. John’s Ambulance Brigade Hospital, Etaples, October 13th, 1917. Director of Records
At the time of his death, he was survived by his father Henry Bell; three sisters, Mrs. Wyckoff, Sarnia, Mrs. Finch and Mrs. Earl Foster of Medicine Hat; and two brothers, Albert in Winnipeg and Harry in Fort Francis, Ontario. Twenty-six year old Arthur Bell is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, Grave XXX.C.15A. One year after Arthur’s death, in October of 1918, the following ‘In Memoriam’ appeared in the Sarnia Observer:
In loving memory of Arthur William Bell, who died October 13th, 1917, in St. John’s Ambulance Hospital, Etaples, France. Friends may think that he’s forgotten, when at times I laugh and smile, but they little know the lonliness. Which that smile hides all the while. Friends we were, and pals together, he but waits for me above.
A friend and pal
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G