Nathaniel John Merriman Barry was born on 18th June 1918, at Pilgrim's Rest, Eastern Transvaal, South Africa. He was one of seven children born to Richard Alan Barry, a mining engineer, and Gladys Isobel Barry (nee Van Der Byl).
Platoon Commander William Battle, of the 58th Surrey (Purley) Battalion, was killed by shrapnel at Kenley Waterworks, during the first wave of attacks on RAF Kenley on the 18th August, 1940.
On 30th August, 1940, Bell was shot down, his Spitfire crashed and he was killed. Bell was the fourth pilot from 616 to lose his life whilst the squadron was stationed at Kenley.