BELL, Louis and Colin

Louis (Lewis) and Colin were the sons of Harriet and Joseph Bell of Elsmore, near Inverell.

At the age of twenty three Louis enlisted at Toowoomba Queensland in January 1915. After joining the 25th Battalion, D Company he sailed from Brisbane on HMAT A60 Aeneas in June. He served in Egypt until March 1916 when he was sent to France and transferred to 7 Australian Machine Gun Company. He was appointed Driver in Belgium in September 1916 and the following year transferred back to the 25th Battalion. Louis returned to Australia in March 1918 and discharged three months later. He died in 1953 and is buried at Elsmore NSW.

Colin enlisted at Inverell in June 1916 when he was eighteen years old. His parents gave their consent for him to serve overseas. He was one of eleven men farewelled at the Inverell School of Arts and presented with the Inverell medal and socks prior to departure for the Narrabri camp.

Colin became a member of the 33rd Battalion, 6th Reinforcement and sailed from Australia for England on HMAT A72 Beltana in November 1916. He was sent to France in May 1917 and transferred to the 1st Battalion. During September he was gassed. Colin returned to England in December 1918 and arrived back in Australia in February 1919.

Both Louis and Colin have their names recorded on the Elsmore and Long Plain Honor Rolls.

Colin’s name is also on the Inverell Honor Roll.