b. ? d. ?
DATE OF AM ACTION: 11/07/1911 South Porcupine, Ontario, Canada.
Edward Bell AM
Edward Bell, who, according to Porcupine folklore, even recited stories to the children in an effort to keep them calm during the terrible fire, and consequently became known as ‘Dad Bell’, was recommended for a medallic award for his gallantry by Mr. A. R. Turner, the General Manager of the Canadian Copper Company, and received his Albert Medal at Haileybury, Ontario, in July 1912, almost exactly a year after the terrible fire. One of only 21 Albert Medals awarded to Canadians, 17 of which were for gallantry in Canada.
AM CITATION:
On the 11th July 1911 a disastrous forest fire broke out in the neighbourhood of the town of South Porcupine, Ontario, destroying the town and mining camp, and the perilous position of the inhabitants was aggravated by a sudden tornado. A party, including the manager of the Dome Mines and his family and two employees of the mining company, managed with great difficulty to pass through the smoke and flames to some water barrels, but then collapsed from exhaustion, and were unable to use the water so as to keep their clothes from catching fire from the showers of sparks. Bell, notwithstanding the dense smoke, which had incapacitated the party, went to their rescue, and stood by them for nearly two hours, damping their clothes, and by this and other means preventing further injury by fire. By his courageous action he was instrumental in saving the lives of seven persons.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: PRIVATELY HELD. SOLD FOR £7,000 AT AUCTION IN MARCH 2017.
Acknowledgement:
Allan Stanistreet – Image of Edward Bell AM.