Frank Bell (aviator)

Sergeant Frank William Bell (23 August 1897 – February 1960) was actually George Stanley Bell. George had joined the Territorial Army in 1914 and was subsequently called up at the outbreak of World War I. 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 an 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.

Sources of information
Grandson - Original Log book Entry of the mission