4 Medals a) Distinguished Conduct Medal b) 1914-15 Star c) British War Medal d) Inter-Allied Victory Medal. William Bell joined on 19 Sept. 1914 at the age of 18 as a Private in the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders). During the 2nd Battle of Ypres in April 1915, the first gas attack of the war, Pte. Bell served in No. 2 Company. He was wounded in the chest by shrapnel but returned to active duty two months later. Bell was wounded again in Sept 1916 while on the Somme when shrapnel tore into his left leg at the thigh. He was evacuated to England and after a series of hospitals returned to the 15th Battalion the following March. He was promoted to Corporal in May, Lance Sergeant in July and was a Sergeant by Oct. 1917. In June that year he had been wounded a third time but remained on duty.

During the battle of Amiens on 8/9 Aug Sgt. Bell was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his battlefield leadership of 6 Platoon and actions as Acting Company Sergeant major of No. 2 Company. In late Nov. 1918 he was commissioned Lieutenant. In 1936 Bell was one of four members of the 15th Battalion to be part of the Guard of Honour at the Vimy Pilgrimage at the Canadian Monument placed on Vimy Ridge.