Pearl McGill’s great uncle died of wounds on Anzac Day and is buried at Plugge’s Plateau. Private George Bell of the 11th Battalion was killed in action on 25th April, 1915. He was 28 years old and the son of Jane McFadyen Bell. Pearl is the first person from the family to come back and visit his grave. We were moved when Pearl shared his story with us and read some prayers.

Pearl McGill at the grave of her great uncle George Bell

Pearl: “George came from Scotland to Australia in 1910 with his extended family and joined up at the outbreak of war in 1914. He landed on Anzac Day at North Beach and pressed inland with other members of the 11th Battalion. At 5 o’clock in the afternoon he was wounded and the men with him had to leave him behind and it wasn’t until 1919 that his remains were discovered at Baby 700 and his body was brought to Plugge’s Plateau. This man beside him was a friend. The family had spent years agonising and wondering what had happened to him but the Red Cross courts of enquiry were really wonderful and they interviewed people who had been with him so that the family understood that he had died of wounds sometime after 5 O’clock on Anzac day.” Peter Rubinstein made a recording of Pearl’s presentation.

View from Plugge’s Plateau