JAMES PICKARD BELL

RANK: Private.

SERVICE NUMBER: 153353.

REGIMENT: 43rd Bn Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)

BORN: 17 July 1888 Aysgarth Yorkshire.

ENLISTED: Winnipeg Canada.

GAVE HIS LIFE: 08/10/1916.

AGED: 28.

CEMETERY: Canadian National Vimy Memorial eight kilometres northeast of Arras France.

LEEDS MODERN: Unknown.

James was the son of William Bell Born selby, who lived in Flatlands Aysgarth Yorkshire in 1914.

James emigrated to Canada to work as a farmer after leaving Leeds Boys Modern.

On the 2nd July 1917 James enlisted into the Canadian Battalion of the 79th Cameron Highlanders known later in the war as the 43rd Canadians.

At his medical James was described as being 5ft 9 inches tall, with a chest size of 40 inches. He had a fair complexion blue eyes and fair hair.

After being sent to England to train he was posted to France in February 1918. James was placed in charge of a grenade section.

On the 8th october 1918 it was reported that he was last seen leading his section, none of whom returned or were found to be taken prisoner.

As a result he is remembered on the Vimy Ridge memorial to the Canadian missing.