F/Sgt G. C. D. Bell No. 404 Squadron
 

Dilemma I've two cases were the gentleman's first name is down as Gordon Cecil Douglas Bell R61216 and a further two as Gerald R61216

As the gentleman was one of two of the first Black Canadian pilots to fly missions with the Canadian Air Force - Bell won the DFM with 404 RCAF Sqdn I'd like to get it correct.

Best regards

Andy Bird

Re: F/Sgt G. C. D. Bell No. 404 Squadron
 

Does this help?

http://www.blatherwick.net/documents...ers%20book.pdf

Re: F/Sgt G. C. D. Bell No. 404 Squadron
 

Yes, cheers Chris, one of those I've found too.

Andrew Hendrie has him down as G. Bell in Canadian Sqdns in Coastal so not luck there either.

AB

Re: F/Sgt G. C. D. Bell No. 404 Squadron
 

Gerald "Gerry" Bell was a Hamilton Ontario native and quite well known in the area where I lived for a bit.
http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNe...k-Buffalo.aspx
http://digitalcollections.mcmaster.c...man-gerry-bell
http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/rememb...mes/2013/page3

(Picture caption in above is wrong as it shows Bell in the RCAF postwar)

Edit:
http://www.canadaveteranshallofvalour.com/BellGC.htm
http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/04365.php

Looks like this is a case of two men with similar names as the above is Gordon Cecil Douglas Bell DFM who was not a black Canadian

Re: F/Sgt G. C. D. Bell No. 404 Squadron
 

Thanks Orwell1984, for clearing this up. By strange co-incidence I helped restore the Lancaster at Hamilton Ont., in 1988 whilst living in Toronto before returning to UK.

Fortunately Karl Collen used to pick me up on Wednesdays from Hamilton Go Station otherwise used to get public transport or taxi.

Best regards
Andy Bird
andrewdbird.com

Re: F/Sgt G. C. D. Bell No. 404 Squadron
 

My pleasure. I lived in Burlington On and often saw your handiwork flying around. Was a regular at the Hamilton air show too. In fact my brother who lives in Toronto saw the Lancaster flying over the city a couple of weeks ago. The engines brought him outside for a free show. It looks like they're prepping for another season!
SPAR aerospace where Gerry Bell worked was the home of the Canadarm used on the Shuttle.