Bell, Bill

Bill Bell, stationed in France Photos provided by Rob Turner, great-nephew of Bill Bell. Bill’s sister-in-law, Madeleine, is Rob Turner’s grandmother. Bill Bell lived in Collinsville, Illinois. He enlisted in July of 1917 in Chicago and was stationed in France from 1918 to 1919. He served as a member of the 13th Engineers Regiment and engaged in battle at Verdun.
Members of the 13th Engineer Regiment	Members of the 13th Engineers Regiment, stationed in France.	13th Engineers- July 4, 1918
Soldiers of the 13th Regiment with a dog and litter of puppies.	An aerial view of a hospital in France.	An aerial view of a town in France.
An aerial photo of a cathedral in France.	A plane shot down by ground troops. The insignia on the bottom of the right wing suggests this is a British or French plane.	Damage to this plane’s wing can be seen on the far right. The insignia on the bottom right of the wing suggests it is a French plane.
Bill’s wife, Beatrice (far left), and her sister, Madeleine (middle left).	Bill’s sister-in-law, Madeleine, and her husband, Gerald (middle couple)	Madeleine and Gerald, and their daughter, Marylou.
A document describing the Declaration of Peace from the German Government	This letter was received by all members of the 13th Engineers to commemorate their service.	A poem written by Cholly Mahen, one of Bill’s friends in the regiment.
Another poem written by Cholly Mahen of the 13th Engineers Regiment.