Community & Business
27 November, 2025
Joffre Bell: A life well lived
Joffre Bell passed away quietly on Wednesday, 19th November 2025.
After 105 years on earth, Joffre will be remembered as one of the most amazing residents of the Clifton district.
He was a gentle man, once described as one of Clifton’s most loveable characters, who had great influence on more people than we’ll ever know.
School children in particular were fascinated by Mr Bell’s story.
Much of his own schooling was at The Southport School.
President of the Old Southportonians’ Association Craig Hobart has paid tribute to Mr Bell.
“Until his passing, Mr Joffre Bell was the oldest living Old Boy of The Southport School,” Mr Hobart said.
“He attended from 1932-1937 and, remarkably, was born before the construction of our iconic Clock Tower and is the only person to have met all nine Headmasters in the school’s 124-year history - a living bridge across generations.
“I had the privilege of spending time with Joffre in recent years, with the school and Old Boy network joining him at ANZAC Day commemorations and birthday celebrations.
“On one occasion, we flew with him from his home in Clifton to Southport for a special service.
“During that flight we spoke about life, and when I asked him his secret to such a long and full journey, he simply said: ‘Don’t dwell in the past - you can’t change it. Don’t worry about tomorrow - it hasn’t happened yet. Just be happy and present with those you love today.’
“They were powerful and beautifully simple words to live by.
“A beacon of humility, kindness, quiet wisdom and extraordinary bravery through his service in the RAAF and RAF during WWII, Joffre embodied the spirit of our community and left an indelible mark on all who met him.
“His enduring love for TSS and the Old South-portonians’ Association, and his connection to the school for nearly 80 years, form a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.”
As with many men of his era, Joffre Bell’s life was influenced by war service.
He joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), entering service on 13th September, 1940.
In December that year he left Australia aboard Empress of Russia, bound for Canada where he underwent training with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) before being shipped to England on the Californian in July 1941.
He flew two missions as an observer on his first posting in England, and was moved to the Station Navigation Office for five months before flying four more missions with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in September, 1941, over Duisburg, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Flensburg.
A little known fact is that Joffre Bell had survived two fires which occurred as a result of aircraft mishaps.
After the war, Mr Bell returned to the Clifton business O. B. Bell & Co started by his father, Overton Benjamin Bell.
He studied accounting and looked after the financial affairs of O. B. Bell & Co. until it was closed in 1989 upon Joffre Bell’s retirement.
He was a prominent local personality with involvement in a wide range of activities in the Clifton district and further afield on the Darling Downs.
Service clubs Jaycees and Lions benefited from his membership and he was a Member of the Clifton Masonic Lodge.
His also played a significant role in the Clifton Sub Branch of the Returned Services League (RSL).
On behalf of members, the President of the Clifton Sub Branch of the RSL, Anne Glasheen paid tribute to the late Mr Bell.
“Clifton RSL Sub Branch expresses our deepest sadness at the passing of our World War 11 Veteran Joffre Bell,” Mrs Glasheen said.
“Joffre was a well respected Life Member of the Clifton RSL Sub Branch and he will be sadly missed.
“Joffre served in the Royal Australian Air Force from September 1940 to January 1946.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Rhyl and family.”
Among the notable achievements in Joffre Bell’s life was his study of the “international language”, Esperanto.
He was able to communicate with people in many countries and at one time held a gathering of Esperanto speaking people at his home in Clifton.
Mayor of the Toowoomba Region Geoff McDonald was among those to extend condolences to family and friends.
“We pay tribute to a WWII veteran, successful businessman and a first-class community citizen involved in many organisations such as the Clifton Lions, Toowoomba Field Naturalist Club, Clifton Masonic
Lodge, Jaycees, Darling Downs 4WD Club and Clifton RSL,” Mayor McDonald said.
“On behalf of everyone across the Toowoomba Region, I extend my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of the late Joffre Bell.
“The Bell family have been wonderful contributors to our region with their business O.B. Bell & Co in Clifton operating from 1918 until closing in 1989 which is when Joffre retired.
“Joffre followed the footsteps of his father Overton Benjamin (O.B.) Bell, who served in Gallipoli during WWI, and joined the armed forces enlisting in the RAAF in 1940.
He served in WWII with Canadian and British air forces in missions across France, Germany and Italy.
“Apart from his final months in Carinity Brownsholme Highfields, boarding at The Southport School five years in the
Air Force, Joffre lived in Clifton and was well known at the emcee of the Clifton Anzac Day ceremonies for decades.
“A fine upstanding citizen of our region and someone that will be sadly missed,” Mayor McDonald said.
“R.I.P. Joffre Bell.”
A funeral service will be held on Monday week, 8th December.
It is being conducted at 2pm at the T. S. Burstow Funeral Chapel in Toowoomba.
