Charles Gordon Bell

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Charles Gordon Bell (31 May 1889 – 29 July 1918) was one of Britain’s earliest pilots and one of the first 100 licensed flyers in the country. He learned to fly at Brooklands, then went to France to work for the R.E.P. company. While demonstrating their aircraft in Turkey, he became the first person to fly across the Sea of Marmara. By 1914 he had flown more than 60 different aircraft.

In 1913 he had a serious accident at Brooklands; the passenger, a naval lieutenant, was killed and Bell was badly injured. The crash was ruled pilot error and he was cautioned.

When World War I began, he joined the Royal Flying Corps as a Special Reserve officer. He became an ace, shooting down five German aircraft, all while flying a Bristol Scout with No. 10 Squadron. Ill health forced him back to England in late 1915, where he commanded a squadron at the Central Flying School in Upavon and reached the temporary rank of Major.

In late 1917 he left the Army and became a test pilot for Vickers. He was killed on 29 July 1918 while flying an experimental Vickers F.B.16E at Villacoublay and is buried in Versailles.

He is remembered as the most successful Bristol Scout pilot, with all five of his victories earned in that plane.