Ottawa, Canada
22nd April 1944

Mr. David Bell
R.R. No. 3
Clifford, Ontario

Dear Mr. Bell:

It is my painful duty to confirm the telegram recently received by you which informed you that your son, Pilot Officer James Bond Bell, is reported missing on Active Service.

Advice has been received from the Royal Canadian Air Force Casualties Officer, Overseas, that your son was a member of the crew of an aircraft which failed to return to its base after a bombing raid over Noisy-le-Sec, Paris area, France, on the night of April 13th and the early morning of April 19th, 1944. There were three other members that have been reported missing. Since you may wish to know their names and next-of-kin, we are listing them below:

Flying Officer A.C.G. Mercer
Next-of-kin: Mr. A.G. Mercer (father)
2848 West 29th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C.

Pilot Officer A. McGregor
Next-of-kin: Mr. A.G. McGregor (father)
2256 Angus Street, Regina, Sask.

Sergeant G.J. Shaughnessy
Next-of-kin: Mrs G. J. Shaughnessy(wife)
247 Greenwich Street, Brantford, Ontario

This does not necessarily mean that your son has been killed or wounded. He may have landed in enemy territory and might be a Prisoner of War. Enquiries have been made through the International Red Cross Society and all other appropriate sources and you may be assured that any further information received will be communicated to you immediately.

Your son's name will not appear on the official casualty list for five weeks. You may, however, release to the Press or Radio the fact that he is reported missing but not disclosing the date, place or his unit.

May I join with you and the members of your family in the hope that better news will be forthcoming in the near future.

Yours sincerely,
J.E.Todd S/O
R.C.A.F. Casualty Officer
For Chief of the Air Staff