Bell, Ernest
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Ernest |
Surname | Bell |
Gender | M |
Age | 25 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 30-05-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Arthur and Nancy Bell, of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Stepson of Alice Bell, of Cliftonville, Belfast. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | DT804 |
Markings | TL-C |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Belgium |
Burial/Memorial Place | Heverlee War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 4. C. 6. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 129 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 548837 |
Service | Royal Air Force |
Group | 8 |
Squadron | 35 (Madras Presidency) |
Trade | Flight Engineer |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Roadside Location, Graveley, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Memorial Stone |
Memorial Text | Graveley Airfield 1942-1945 8 Group Bomber Command 35 Squadron Pathfinder Force 692 Squadron Light Night Striking Force R.A.F. To commemorate this airfield in honour of those who served the nation aircrew, groundstaff & WAFF of United Kingdom Dominions, C |
Location | All Saints Church, Offord Cluny, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window, Sqn Badge & Roll of Honour |
Memorial Text | Remember before God all those airmen and airwomen 3who served with 35 Squadron R.A.F. Graveley 1939-1945 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/380/10 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/380/9 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 29-05-1943 |
End Date | 30-05-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Graveley |
Day/Night Raid | Night (16% moon) |
Operation | Wuppertal. 719 aircraft, 33 losses(4.6%). PFF target marking and the resultant main force bombing was especially accurate, leading to what was probably the first instance of a 'firestorm'. Five of the six largest factories in the town, 211 other industrial premises and almost 4000 homes were completely destroyed. Approximately 3400 deaths- five times greater than any other city raid. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed NW of St Truiden, Belgium |