In Memory of Reg.#16386, Corporal John Bell

Corporal John Bell originally served with the British Columbia Provincial Police (BCPP).  His BCPP badge number was 737.

John Bell was born on February 27, 1912 and he joined the BCPP in 1938. He led a unique and distinguished career with the BCPP as he was commended for his police work on two occasions; once in 1943 and again in 1947.

The memorable photo in the upper right shows Cpl. Bell receiving his Long Service Medal (LSM). The other persons in the photo are not yet identified. The photo below (left) is Cpl. Bell's Certificate of RCMP Service which is presented upon one's retirement.

In 1950, John Bell was a BCPP constable posted to Kamloops, BC and it was the same year that the RCMP absorbed the BCPP. Over time, John Bell was promoted to corporal while he continued to work in Kamloops Detachment.

The actual date of transition for John Bell into the RCMP from the BCPP was August 15, 1950. In later years, he was transferred to Penticton Det. and he retired from the Force on December 9, 1966.

After retirement, Corporal Bell returned to the Kamloops area where he was employed by the BC Department of Fish and Wildlife.

In the photo lower right is Cpl. Bell's Discharge Certificate from the RCMP. Cpl. Bell died on October 30, 1987 and he is buried in Comox, BC.
 

The photos in this article belong to the collection of Supt. Brian Brennan, OIC Federal Policing, 'H' Div., Halifax, NS. I thank him for the photos and I also acknowledge Historian Jack White for his contribution of historical facts about the life and times of Cpl. John Bell.

We thank Corporal John Bell for his generous contribution to community as well as his talents in policing to the BCPP and the RCMP.

'Maintain Our Memories'

Buffalo Joe Healy