James was born March 27, 1893, Blenheim Township and the son of John and Margaret Bell. He enlisted with the 111th in February 1916 in Galt, Ontario. His Attestation Papers describe him as 5'11" tall, with brown eyes, black hair and no distinguishing marks. James was Presbyterian in faith and was working as a hardware clerk. His 2 brothers, Robert Pedon and Roy Crawford also served.
While overseas he served with the 1st Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corp. He was twice gassed and once slightly wounded while serving. James won the Military Medal for the assault at Passchendaele. He was promoted to Sergeant on February 22, 1918. James returned home aboard the Lapland which docked in Halifax in early March 1919. James was discharged March 21, 1919, London, Ontario. It is noted on these papers that he has scars on both shins.
James married Florence Morgan in 1926 and they had one daughter. He worked as a salesman for the A.P. Green Fire Brick Company and the family lived in London, Ontario. He died here on January 13, 1943 and is buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London.
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Source Organization
Kitchener Public Library
Collection
Soldier Information Cards - World War One
Transcription
Bell, James Thyne
Corporal.
Enlisted with 111th Battalion and went overseas in 1916.
He served eighteen months in France and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery.
He is the son of Mrs. Margaret Bell, 32 Cameron St., Galt, Ontario.
He enlisted with 111th Battalion at Galt, March 6, 1916. Born in Canada.
Since his return he lives at 52 Rich Avenue, Galt.