True and Fascinating Canadian History
The Mystery of The Mountie and The Bell Bloke
by J. J. Healy
Who is this Bell Bloke in Breeches?
The three pictures shown here were sent in by Toronto Vet Jack O'Reilly.
Jack said: 'I am attaching three photos of Gerry Bell who was supposedly a member of the Force?
In one photo it appears that Mr. Bell is wearing a Vets Red [Serge] Jacket. It was eventually determined that he [Gerry Bell] was never a member of the Force.'
Yours truly,
Jack O'Reilly
Answers
Top Photo # 1:
Point One:
Incorrect placement of the cross strap. The 'alleged' Corporal Bell wears his cross strap over the incorrect shoulder. Observe that the Corporal wears his revolver on the right side. Therefore, the cross strap should have been worn over the left shoulder, cross his chest in the front, come down and attach to his Sam Browne belt near the revolver. The purpose of a 'cross strap' is to support the weight of the revolver or sword -- this person here wears the cross strap backwards. The cross strap in the photo serves no purpose.
Point Two:
Incorrect placement of the lanyard. The lanyard is the piece of small, circular, white rope which circles the wearer's neck and allows the 'running end' to be attached to the revolver. The theory behind wearing a lanyard is that the lanyard impedes an offender who attempts to disarm the member.
In the photo, the lanyard is improperly worn around the person's neck. It ought to circle the member's neck only after it has been placed through and under the epaulettes on both shoulders. Note also that the revolver is incorrectly worn -- it ought to be worn further back on the hip so that the barrel of the revolver is lined up with the yellow strip of the breeches. The 'Red Serge' jacket is worn disgracefully. It is ill fitting and minus the 'collar dogs' -- small badges of the Force designed to be worn on the jacket's collar. The jacket appears to be minus buttons on the breast pockets.
Finally, the Stetson is tilted too far back on the person's head -- it should be worn so that the under side of the Stetson cannot be seen. This can be accomplished by wearing the Stetson further down on the forehead, over the right eye nearing touching the right eyebrow. Small matter.
I hope the Commissioner and the Drill Instructors never see this photo!
^ Back to Top ^
Photo # 2:
First, an RCMP member would not attach an RCMP shirt shoulder patch to a
flight jacket.
Secondly,
The RCMP patch shown in the photo is an old styled devise -- likely from the 1970's or perhaps the 1990's. Today, the shoulder patch would have the world 'POLICE' clearly printed under the Crest of the Force. No harm done.
Photo # 3:
This person is wearing 'long blues' with an RCMP Vet's Red Serge Jacket. No way! There is no
such 'Order of Dress'.
He should be wearing dark blue pants as part of this attire, which is an formal mode illustrated by the Red Serge Blazer, the white shirt and the bow tie. As well, an RCMP Vet would have his lady on his arm. A Vet would likely not have his picture taken if he is the sole subject. I hope my wife never sees this photo!
Finally, what can be 'deductively' deduced from the outset from all three photos? If you said: 'the clothes worn by this person in all three photos are not originally his', you would be absolutely one hundred percent correct.
How so, one Cadet asked?
Well, my friend it's so obvious.
All the clothes worn by Corporal Bell in each photo are too small for the person. This critical observation means that the clothes were actually designed for a much shorter person -- not for someone the height of the person in the photos.
Look again, see? The sleeves are far too short and the pants are far too short!
Conclusion? The clothes he's wearing in the photo are not his clothes!
Small matter : No harm done.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
The following message was received from Mr. Alan J. Smith on March 8, 2015. Also included is my apology and my response.
Hello Mr. Healy,
I was somewhat shocked to read your posting on Jerry Bell. We are a team of researchers looking into Bell's accomplishments. Our research team is headed up by Nerene Virgin Other members include William Huling Ph.D., Patricia Grizzle-Huling Ph.D., Douglas Smith Ph.D., Thomas Smith M.A. and myself. Sadly William Huling recently passed. He was USAF retired.
Now, Jerry Bell was RCAF retired. He was a pilot/instructor for many years. His flying career began in the late 1920's, a decade before the RCMP had their own aircraft and fliers. This begs the questions: Who flew RCMP officers around before 1937? And who actually instructed the members of the 1937 RCMP Aviation Squadron? (They had to learn to fly, didn't they?)
I think it is there that the name Jerry Bell (he preferred Jerry to Gerry ) will keep popping up. If you wish to have on your website that Jerry was not RCMP and does not wear the uniform correctly, then we believe that you are entitled to do so. It is your opinion and, in our opinion, the result of your forces' inability to keep good records during those early years of the RCMP. But please don't question Jerry's service in the RCAF as you did: your quote: "It's impossible that he was in the Air Force in the early 1930's!". Their records are very good.
Sincerely,
Alan J. Smith B.A., B.P.E., B.Ed., O.C.T.
Source: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerene_Virgin).
Dear Mr. Smith,
Thank you for your note. I wish to begin with my sincere and deep apology for my comments about Mr. Bell and his relationship with the RCAF. I ask that you pass on my apology to your colleagues and fellow researchers. Out of respect for Mr. Bell, you and your colleagues, I have removed the comments about the RCAF from my website. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
I would also like to add that the piece about Mr. Bell was written within the context of inconsistencies in the wearing of the RCMP uniform. That was the whole point of the story. But, the story also leads one to question the reasons for Mr. Bell to don any uniform to which he was not entitled. It is my understanding that Mr. Bell was a Special Constable in the RCMP and if so, he would not have been entitled to wear the traditional garb of the RCMP. Further, he did not possess the knowledge to wear the RCMP uniform properly.
When I read the Mr. Bell story, I was reminded of the recent Ottawa case presently before the criminal courts – a person who wore a Canadian Armed Forces uniform on Remembrance Day as well as some official medals to which he was not entitled. And then there was the Brian William’s case -- the news journalist in America who claimed that he was the subject of an armed attack while in an aircraft. Surely, one has to wonder about these persons and the reasons behind their motives. Surely too, false actions have an effect on their credibility as well as on the lives of other people.
Once again Mr. Smith, I am sorry for the link in my story which I made to the RCAF. I have erased the comments, and I thank you for writing to me.
Yours truly,
Joe Healy. B.A., M.Ed., M.Ad.Ed.
Ottawa, ON.
