Biografía
In 1934 at the age of 16, he travelled the Pacific while working as a Bridge Messenger on the Empress of Japan.
In 1937 he began articling as a clerk with his father's Vancouver firm, Robert Bell & Co.
In 1945 he became a Chartered Accountant.
Servicio militar
He was a Sea Cadet in Vancouver 1930-1936.
He was appointed as an A/Sub-Lieutenant RCNVR (With seniority dated 28/04/1938). (Mobilized for World War Two service 31/08/1939).
He served in HMCS Nootka as First Lieutenant 1939.
He was appointed as a Sub-Lieutenant (Temp.) RCNVR (With seniority dated 28/04/1940).
He served in HMCS St. Croix (I) as Gunnery Officer 1940.
He was appointed as a Lieutenant (Temp.) RCNVR (With seniority dated 28/04/1941).
He served in HMCS Swift Current (In command) 1941.
He was the senior officer of corvettes in the North African landings (Operation Torch).
He served in HMCS Kings (Officer's Training Establishment) for Long Navigation Course 1942.
He served in HMCS Ville de Quebec (In command) 1942.
He served in HMCS Alberni (In command) 1942. (H.M.C.S. Alberni (Corvette) was lost in the English Channel after being torpedoed by submarine U-480 on 21/08/1944).
He was appointed as an A/Lieutenant-Commander (Temp.) RCNVR (With seniority dated 01/01/1944).
He escorted the LCI-convoy to Juno Beach on D-Day.
He served in HMCS St. Hyacinthe as Officer-in-Charge Action Information School 1944.
He was appointed as a Lieutenant-Commander (Temp.) RCNVR (With seniority dated 01/01/1945). (He was demobilized 16/09/1945.) (He was qualified for navigational duties.) (He was qualified with a Watchkeeping certificate.)
Anécdotas
Mention in Despatches-RCNVR / HMCS Alberni -Awarded asper Canada Gazette of 10 June 1944 and London Gazette of 8 June 1944. "This young Officer has served at sea for the majority of the war and has been in command of one of His Majesty's Canadian ships (HMCS Alberni)on escort duty in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean for the past two years.
He has set a fine example by his energy, zeal and wholehearted devotion to duty."
Referencias
- Government of Canada The Canadian Navy List Ottawa ON
- www.unithistories.com ↗
- www.blatherwick.net ↗
