| William Gell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 July 1888 |
| Died | 16 May 1969 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1911 - 1945 |
| Rank | Air Vice Marshal |
| Commands held | 5th/6th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment No. 5 Balloon Centre No. 6 Balloon Centre No. 30 Balloon Group RAF Balloon Command |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order & Bar Military Cross |
Air Vice Marshal William Charles Coleman Gell CB DSO & Bar MC DL (10 July 1888 – 16 May 1969) was a Royal Air Force officer who became Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at RAF Balloon Command.
Educated at the University of Cambridge,[1] Gell was commissioned into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1911.[2] He served in World War I and commanded the 5th/6th Battalion in France earning the MC.[2] After the war he practiced as a solicitor with Johnson & Company in Birmingham.[2] He joined the Anti Aircraft Service of the Territorial Army in 1935 and during World War II he served as Officer Commanding No. 5 and then No. 6 Balloon Centre preventing German air attacks.[2] He was appointed Air Officer Commanding No. 30 Balloon Group in 1941 and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at RAF Balloon Command in 1944 before retiring in 1945.[2]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir Leslie Gossage |
Commander-in-Chief Balloon Command 1944–1945 |
Succeeded by P L Lincoln |