Major Bell received a number of awards and prizes during his lifetime. Many were related to his expertise with a rifle, others were for military service, and later for achievements in agriculture while operating the Bell Farm.
After the Bell Barn Society was formed to preserve the Barn and interpret the history of the Bell Farm and the contributions that Major Bell made to the development of dry land farming, the Society won several more awards.
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1895 North-West Territorial Exhibition Grounds, Regina
1895 Terriorial Exhibition Grandstand and Bandstand - There are at least a half dozen photographs relating to this event, and it is probable that Major and Catherine Bell are somewhere in the crowd. However, finding them is a significant challenge. -
Award of Excellence for Restoration and Addition Masonry Design
Saskatchewan Masonry Institute Award - 2012 - SMI Award - 2012 -
Bell Memorabilia - Trophies - 4 Oct 2017 - Korvemaker 015
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Detail of medals awarded to Major Bell for military service in 1866, 1870 and 1885
Military Medals - Military Medals -
Detail of the SMI marble plaque
Presented Feb. 16, 2013 at Casino Regina - Close-up of marble plaque -
Lieutenant Governor's Award for Sympathetic New Construction
2011 Annual Awards: Architectural Heritage Society of Saskatchewan - AHSS Award - 2011 -
Major Bell's Medals - on display
The Major's medals and badges without accompanying numbers. - Major Bell's medals and badges on display. The sheer volume of these awards attests to some of the achievements that Major Bell accumulated during his lifetime. -
Major Bell's medals and badges
Click on photo to see details - Various medals and badges presented to Major Bell including: 1. MRA 1894 (probably the Manitoba Rifle Association) - for marksmanship 2. Unknown - possibly a badge 3. Silver cross and blue and red ribbon - Memento from a few friends in the City of London to the Canadian Riflemen, Wimbledon 1871. (front: Capt. W. Bell) 4. Unknown 5. Silver cross with green ribbon: Presented by. G.G. Lafaette. BRA First Prize, won by Major W.R. Bell. 1873 (probably the British Rifle Association) 6. Silver medal and ribbon: For Long Service 7. Silver medal and ribbon: Canada (back) 8. Silver medal and ribbon: North-West 1885 9. Gold cross and ribbon: Presented by Lieut. Governor Macintosh 1895 (NWT) (A newspaper article of the day, reporting on the North-West Territorial Exhibition, stated that “a special gold medal will be given for the best collection of Red Fyfe wheat, white oats and barley.) 10. Triangular silver medal and ribbon: BRA 1st prize 1876 won by W.R. Bell (probably the British Rifle Association) 11. Silver medal and ribbon: North West Canada 1885; (Back): Victoria Regina 12. Silver medal and ribbon: (back) For Long Service in the Volunteer Force; (Front) Victoria Regina 13. Silver medal and ribbon with 2 bars: General Service (1866-70); with bars (Fenian Raid 1866) and (Fenian Raid (1870): NOTE: imprinted into the edge of the medal: Cpl. W.R. Bell, Brockville, Ontario. 14. Silver cross and ribbon: with Rifles, ROA Canada Victoria Regina et Imperatrix; Manitoba Rifle Association 15. shield - Unknown 16. Silver crest - unknown 17. Silver crest - unknown 18. Bronze crest - unknown 19. Silver medal - presented by the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association NOTE: Not all of the items in this display have been identified. If you have more information on any one of these awards and badges, please contact Frank Korvemaker by e-mail at: fkorvemaker@accesscomm.ca ; by telephone at (306) 586-1405 ; or by mail at: 59 Compton Road, Regina, Sask. S4S 2Y2 (Canada) Thank you. -
Major Bell's Trophies
Three trophies presented to Major Bell - Some of Major Bell's Trophies -
Major Bell's Trophy # 1 - Governor General's Cup - 1870
Presented to Captain W.R. Bell in Frederiction, New Brunswick. - The Governor General's Cup was presented to Captain W.R. Bell of the G.T.R. Brigade in 1870 at the Dominion Match, held in Fredericton, New Brunswick. "In August 1870 a camp was formed near Fredericton, N.B. to accommodate militiamen attending the annual prize meeting of the Dominion Rifle Association. From 31 August to 6 September, competition was devoted to the "Time Match" which was open to all efficient volunteers and militiamen using the Snider-Enfield rifle; the time for each competition was two minutes and the distance 200 and 400 yards. First prize was a cup and ten sovereigns presented by the Governor General (Sir. John Young) and this was won, with a score of 123 points, by Capt. W.R. Bell, an officer of No. 4 Company, 2nd Battalion Rifles, Grand Trunk Railway Brigade; the Company was located at Brockville, Ontario." Source: Blair MacAulay, Oakville, Ontario -
Major Bell's Trophy # 2 - Hudson's Bay Company Cup - c1888-1890
Presented to Major Bell while living at Indian Head - This Cup was presented by the Hudson's Bay Company. In 1886, it was won by Staff. Sgt. W. Beadel, NWMP; in 1887 it was won by Sgt. C. Garbutt, NWMP; and it was won three years by Major W.R. Bell. -
Major Bell's Trophy # 3 - Champion Cup - 1892
Presented to Major Bell at the Indian Head Rifle Association shooting meet. - The Champion Cup was presented to Major Bell by Professor Henry Tanner and Walter B. Sheppard in October 1892. The Qu'Appelle Vidette for October 27, 1892 reported: “Local Happenings: Major Bell was here on a shooting expedition beginning of the week.” The Qu'Appelle Progress for 27 Oct. 1892 reported: "First annual meeting of the Indian Head Rifle Association held 12 and 13." -
Major Bell's Trophy # 4 - 1895
Awarded at the North-West Territorial Exhibition of 1895 - Regina - The North-West Territorial Exhibition of 1895 was held in Regina. Major Bell was one of the officials involved with this major event, serving on the Executive Board of Reference, and won or placed in the following events (the number indicates his achievement): - Three Year Old Filly: 2- Major Bell - Two rowed barley, two bushels: 1 – W.R. Bell, Indian Head (prize was $ 35). - Five bushels, two rowed barley: 1 – W.R. Bell, Indian Head - Flax seed, two bushels: 2 – W.R. Bell, Indian Head - Flour made from Red Fyfe wheat: 1 Ogilvie Milling Company (a) collection of red Fyfe wheat, W.R. Bell, Indian Head - Grain in sheaves, growth of 1895: W.R. Bell, Indian Head There is also mention that “a special gold medal will be given for the best collection of Red Fyfe wheat, white oats and barley. (See medal listing #9) -
Presenting the Award of Excellence
Construction and Society representatives on stage - Construction and Society representatives on stage -
Society members with the SMI plaque
Group with plaque - Group with plaque: (L-R) Frank Korvemaker, Connie Billett, Jerry Willerth, Doreen Willerth, Lori Tourscher