Lieutenant-Colonel H.P. Bell-Irving
Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
Loyal Edmonton Regiment

In the attack of the Seaforths of Canada on Agira, July 28, 1943, Major Bell-Irving, officer commanding “A” company was ordered to gain and hold the sharp ridge on the right which was held by the enemy in strength …The courage and determination with which this offer pressed forward completely disregarding his own safety was an inspiration and contributed to the success of the battalion attack.

(D.S.O. citation, Vancouver Sun, 15 Oct 1943, 16)

Born in Vancouver on 21 January 1913, Henry Pybus “Budge” Bell-Irving came from a prominent military family and was son of a Royal Canadian Navy commander. Having joined the Seaforth Highlanders in the early 1930s, he left the University of British Columbia to go overseas with the regiment in December 1939. With an award of the Distinguished Service Order for heroism in Sicily, Bell-Irving became second-in-command after the promotion of Major J.D. Forin to take over the battalion.

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