Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

DEATH OF
PROMINENT
PASTORALIST
Major Bertram Charles Bell, D.S.O., D.F.C., Croix de Guerre, well-known Queensland pastoralist, died yesterday in a Brisbane private hospital, aged 48. Born at Coochin Coochin,  Major Bell was educated at the Toowoomba Grammar School. He went to England early in 1914, and, joining an ambulance unit, crossed to France, where he drove the First  Queensland Ambulance. Returning to England, he joined the Royal Flying Corps, and quickly gained his wings. He was stationed with the Royal Naval Air Service at Dunkirk, and when the German onslaught on the Somme commenced he applied for permission to lead a special flying squadron. He brought down seven enemy planes, and was awarded the  Distinguished Service Order by General Halg. His name also was mentioned in despatches several times, and he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the French Croix de  Guerre. Later he was promoted to Squadron-Leader, and was on active service for the remainder of the war, together with his brother, Major N. D. Bell. He was offered a  commission in the permanent air force, but this he refused, as he wished to return to Australia.
A keen, polo player, he was a member of the team which won the Dudley Cup.
Major Bell managed the Coochin Coochin property when it was a cattle station, and on its subdivision established several farms on a portion of the old holding. In 1926 he married Miss K. B. Barnes, daughter of Mr. ana Mrs. J. H. S. Barnes (Canning Downs). There are two children — John, 14, and Pamela, 12.