The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Bell
- First Name:
- Albert James
- Nick Name:
- Bill or Billy
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX9063
- Company:
- ‘D’ Company, No. 15 Platoon
- DOB:
- 19.08.1918
- Place of Birth:
- Boulder, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- James Robert Patterson Bell
- Mothers's Name:
- Mabel Bell (Nee Rule)
- Religion:
- Methodist
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Labourer
- Memorial:
- Epitaph, Singapore Memorial, Column 135, Age 22.
- Cause of Death:
- Kllled by mortar fire during escape bid
- Place of Death:
- Johore Straits
- Date of Death:
- 14.02.1942
General Description
Soldier with D Company, No. 15 Platoon was reported missing from 9/2/1942. He was thought to have been killed 14/2/1942 aged 22 years during an attempted escape from Singapore with several others who had all been trapped behind the fast advancing Japanese frontlines.
Please read about Bill Bell in B Company, 15 Platoon.
Bill enlisted AIF 25 Oct 1940 and later joined 2/4th and ‘D’ Company No. 15 Platoon.
From West Australian Death Notices.
‘BELL – ANNEAR – In memory of two of our Mates, Bell and Dudley of Don Company, 2/4th M.G. Battalion, killed in action February 14 1942. Inserted by Blue Semple and Cliff Webb.’
___________
Albert James (known as Bill) was born to James Robert Patterson and Mabel Rule who married Boulder about 1919. Bill was eldest of at least four children, Betty, Nancy and Donald.
In 1954 James and Mabel were residing at Redcliffe. James born Ireland, died 1961 and Mabel who was born Kalgoorlie in 1899, died in 1982 at Victoria Park.
Above: Bell’s name is included as an enlistment at Cannington. Other 2/4th men include Jim Basell, Percy Westlake and WX7541 Charles Clement Keitel.
