William Gell

Air Vice-Marshal William Charles Coleman Gell, (10 July 1888 – 16 May 1969) was an officer of the British Army and then of the Royal Air Force. He served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at RAF Balloon Command from 1944 to 1945. Early life Gell was born in Birmingham the son of William and Catherine Gell. He grew up at 111 Gough Road, Edgbaston, where his father managed an umbrella factory. He was educated at Malvern College and Caius College, Cambridge where he graduated with an MA degree in law. On coming down from university, Gell returned to Birmingham to begin his legal career as a solicitor. Territorial Force Gell's military service began in the Officers Training Corps (OTC), a standard route for a non-career commissioned officer: "William Charles Coleman Gell (late Cadet Serjeant, Cambridge University Contingent, Senior Division, Officers Training Corps) to be Second Lieutenant". (London Gazette). Once settled as a Birmingham solicitor, Gell joined a Territorial Force (TF) battalion of his local regiment, the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Initially commissioned, on 12 May 1911, into the 7th Battalion, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment, he soon transferred, from 21 January 1912, to the Birmingham Rifles, more formally known as: 5th and 6th Battalions, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment. First World War Gell served in the First World War and commanded the 5th/6th Battalion in France, earning the Military Cross as a lieutenant serving as temporary captain. Gell landed at LeHavre in France on 23 March 1915 with 1st/5th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, he was wounded on the Somme in 1916 and from 3 October 1916 until 28 June 1917 was an acting major, Gell held command of 1st/5th Battalion Royal Warwicks from 23 August 1917, serving in France and Flanders until late 1918 and completing his service in Italy. On 1 January 1917 his bravery still as a lieutenant and acting captain during his service in France was rewarded with a rare appointment as a junior officer, to the Distinguished Service Order. Further brave conduct and successful leadership resulted in the award of a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order in June 1919 for his service as Acting lieutenant colonel commanding 1st/5th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in France and Flanders and finally Italy. The Italian government awarded him the Silver Medal of Military Valor.