Hilliard Brooke Bell
| Hilliard Brooke Bell | |
|---|---|
| Born |
9 March 1897 Chatham, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | 16 September 1960 (aged 63) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Allegiance | Canada United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Canadian Expeditionary Force British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1916–1919 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 67th (University of Toronto) Battery, Canadian Field Artillery No. 81 Squadron RFC No. 66 Squadron RFC/RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front • Italian Front |
| Awards |
Military Cross Medal of Military Valor (Italy) |
| Other work | Lawyer |
Captain Hilliard Brooke Bell MC KC (9 March 1897 – 16 September 1960) was a Canadian First World War flying ace credited with ten aerial victories while serving in the British Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force.
Hilliard Brooke Bell was born to Edwin and Sarah R. Bell (née Brooke) in Chatham, Ontario, but later the family moved to Toronto. Bell was educated at St. Andrew's College, Aurora, where he joined the College Officer Training Corps. He then attended University College, Toronto, but gave up his studies to join the 67th (University of Toronto) Battery Depot, Canadian Field Artillery, at Kingston on 23 May 1916.
Bell initially served as a gunner, until commissioned as a lieutenant in November. He then waited for a posting to a battery for five months, before eventually requesting a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps. He began his training in early 1917 at Camp Borden, and following instruction in aeroplane construction, began flight training, and flew solo. On 23 July Bell was appointed a second lieutenant on probation in the Royal Flying Corps, and sailed from Montreal to England in August, where he received advanced flying training with No. 81 Squadron RFC at Scampton, initially on the Avro 504, then the Bristol M.1c. He was confirmed in his rank, and appointed a flying officer, on 4 September.
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