Edwin Charles Bell

MM A.L/CPL. 1215 29. 8.18 18Bn. On March 25th 1918, near Ayette, L/Cpl.Bell was sent to Courcelles with orders for the battle stop posts along the railway and collecting station at Courcelles le Comte to retire upon new positions. Courcelles was being heavily shelled and this NCO failed in his first attempt to get through but tried again and again to get through the heavy barrage. Eventually the message was delivered by L/Cpl.Bell accompanied by L/Cpl.Bacon and both of whom realised that the delivery of the message meant the moving into greater safety of their commrades at posts in very exposed positions. They did this at great risk. On April 11-15th 1918, at Strageele, L/Cpl.Bell was in charge of a post. The town was heavily shelled during the night 11-12th April and still more heavily shelled on the night of 12-13th April. L/Cpl.Bell did not retire from his post until all traffic had ceased though his billet was blown in by a shell. I consider his conduct was an example to the men at his post who held on with him. * attd. APM 31 Div. * West Hartlepool