Isaac (Ike) Bell was born on December 28, 1920, the son of George Issac and Sylvia (nee Ellis) Bell, of 467 ½ Nelson Street, Sarnia. Isaac was born on his father’s farm in Dawn Township, and the family moved to Sarnia in 1929. When he was born, he had two sisters: Rachael (born 1910) and Alma Eva (born 1913). Isaac attended public schools in Sarnia and, prior to enlisting, he was employed in the Sarnia Fish and Chip Shop and the Park Meat Market. Single at the time, and listing his occupation as a sailor, Isaac enlisted in the Canadian Army, with the Kent Regiment in Chatham on August 16, 1940. He received his training in Chatham, London, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and British Columbia before transferring with other volunteers to go overseas with the Highland Light Infantry, R.C.I.C. in April 1942.

Isaac rose to the rank of Corporal and was part of the invasion force in Normandy, France on D-Day. His father had said that in the last letter he received from his son, his son stated that he had not had his uniform off in 18 days. Corporal Isaac Bell would lose his life in action on July 8, 1944 during the Battle of Normandy in France as part of the Highland Light Infantry army unit. On July 13, 1944, Isaac Bell’s name would appear in the Canadian (Sarnia) Observer as “is now with the D-Day invasion forces in France.” Approximately one week later, father George Bell in Sarnia would receive a telegram from the director of records in Ottawa with news of his son stating, The Minister of National Defence deeply regrets to inform you that A-50270, Acting Lance Corporal Isaac George Bell has been officially reported killed in action July 8. If any further information becomes available it will be forwarded as soon as possible. At the end of July of 1944, George would receive a letter of condolence from the adjutant-general, Department of National Defence that read, From official information we have received, your son was killed in action against the enemy. You may be assured that any additional information received will be communicated to you without delay. The Minister of National Defence and the members of the Army Council have asked me to express to you and your family their sincere sympathy in your bereavement. We pay tribute to the sacrifice he so bravely made.

H.F.G. Letson, Major-General

Isaac Bell and another Sarnian, Private Frederick Birkinshaw (included in this project), would both lose their lives on July 8, 1944 while fighting with their Canadian Army units in France, during the Battle of Normandy. Isaac Bell would later be listed as, Overseas casualty, killed in action, in the field (France). At the time of his death, he was survived by his father George, an employee of Electric Auto-Lite Limited; his mother Sylvia, in hospital in London, Ontario; and his three sisters: Mrs. Perry Ferns of Cecil Street; Mrs. Edward Cuthbert of South Mitton Street; and Mrs. Murille Reynolds of Devine Street, Sarnia. Twenty-three year old Isaac Bell is buried in Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, Reviers, France, Grave XV.C.1. On Isaac Bell’s headstone are inscribed the words, I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.

SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, J, L, N, 2C, 2D