Community & Business
7 May, 2024
Clifton’s favourite son now 104
He’s one of the town’s most lovable characters and even though he doesn’t get out and about as much as be once did, Joffre Bell is still smiling and enjoying life at 104 years of age.
On Saturday, 27 April, Mr Bell celebrated his birthday.
Two days earlier he attended the ANZAC Day commemoration at Clifton and the following day was guest of honour at a function at the Senior Citizens’ Centre where he received numerous presentations and plenty of praise.
Apart from many of his friends, those present included representatives of The Southport School (TSS), RAAF Association and the Clifton Masonic Lodge.
The first presentation was made by Gary Graham of the RAAF Association who provided information about Mr Bell’s service in World War Two which included time with the Canadian and British air forces in roles such as observer, navigator and bomb aimer.
Mr Graham also revealed the little known fact that Joffre Bell had survived two fires which occurred as a result of aircraft mishaps.
The headmaster of TSS, Andrew Hawkins was joined by school captain James Greenup in handing gifts to Mr Bell while student Rivers Curtis read an item called The Gentleman.
There was also a presentation from the Old Southportians Association, the alumni organisation for Old Boys of TSS, by its president, Craig Hobart.
Mr Bell is the oldest living “Old Boy”.
A special presentation was also made by the Clifton Masonic Lodge, of which Joffre Bell is a Life Member.
He joined on 3rd January 1943, following in the footsteps of his father, businessman O. B. Bell, a well-known Cliftonite who had served at Gallipoli during World War One.
