Colin Bell, who holds the Distinguished Flying Cross for his dangerous wartime flying in an unarmoured Mosquito fighter bomber, held a long career as a chartered surveyor in Tunbridge Wells, and was in the gallery of the House of Commons on Wednesday March 9 just after his 101st birthday as a guest of Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark.
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Clark praised the people of Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky’s ‘Churchillian’ speech that was heard in Parliament the day before.
He told MPs: “As we salute the courage of the people of Ukraine, it reminds us that we can meet in freedom today only because of the courage of a generation of men and women who in the Second World War defended us from annihilation.
“Mr Speaker, I think the whole House will want to join me in thanking Colin and wishing him a very happy 101st birthday”
“Among them is my friend, Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell, DFC [Distinguished Flying Cross], who flew his DeHavilland Mosquito in 50 missions over Nazi Germany.
“Colin Bell is with us today. On Saturday he celebrated his 101st birthday,” added Mr Clark, pointing up to the balcony and raising cheers from fellow MPs.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson replied: “Mr Speaker, I think the whole House will want to join me in thanking him and wishing him a very happy 101st birthday.”
By Victoria Roberts
