Community & Business
12 May, 2025
A special 105th for Joffre
Now living in Highfields due to his advanced age, treasured Clifton World War II veteran Joffre Bell last Monday celebrated his 105th birthday at his new home, Carinity Brownesholme.
Over the past few years, Mr Bell’s alma mater The Southport School and its Old Boys’ Association have held Anzac Day services at Clifton in honour of their oldest of old boys.
A group of staff and students from the school travelled even further than usual from the Gold Coast to Highfields to hold the service.
Joining them were members of Mr Bell’s family and a group from Greenmount State School.
Mr Bell’s family made the very difficult decision last year to move him from Clifton in order to have better healthcare access.
Mr Bell’s health sadly meant he was unable to attend the likes of the Anzac Day services held in Clifton and at Greenmount State School.
However, at the incredible age of 105 he is still in good spirits.
Joffre’s daughter Kirsten said she was thrilled by the service.
“TSS (The Southport School) and the Old Boys go above and beyond to conduct an Anzac Service to honour Joffre,” she said.
“It is really special and helps create wonderful memories for him.
“He is genuinely over-whelmed with the kindness and attention.
“Through his humble example, Dad has been an inspiration to us, and it’s a beautiful legacy that he will eventually leave.”
Kirsten said she believes it is her dad’s positive outlook on life and his determination to find humour in things that has ensured he continues to enjoy life at 105 years.
With a knowing smile from over a century of experience, Mr Bell added his tip for longevity.
“Everything in moderation.”
As well as TSS coming to Clifton, in 2022 Mr Bell was taken by helicopter from Clifton to the Gold Coast to attend The Southport School’s Anzac Day service.
Among others, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli sent a message of gratitude with the TSS group to Mr Bell for his service and warm wishes for his birthday.
Mr Bell’s family includes his wife of 65 years Rhyl, who resides at another nursing home in Toowoomba, their three children, Graham, Kirsten and Rhys and three grandchildren.
Mr Bell is one of Australia’s oldest surviving World War II veterans, having served in an RAAF bomber squadron flying perilous missions across Europe.
After the war he became an Air Traffic Controller in Papua New Guinea before returning to his cherished home town Clifton, Queensland.
Here, he managed his family’s successful business in the wheat and grain industry for 70 years, combining his skills as a talented mechanic with a keen business sense.
The oldest living person in Australia is believed to be Ken Weeks, who was born on October 5, 1913, making him 111 years old, only six and a half years older than Mr Bell.
Mr Weeks is also the oldest Australian man ever.
The oldest Australian woman is Christina Cock, who lived to 114.
Below is a poem written for Joffre’s 101st birthday by Michael Rooke, a member of the Toowoomba Field Naturalist Club alongside Mr Bell.
Poem For Joffre
What a privilege for all of us who are gathered here,
as long-time honored member Joffre celebrates another year.
And not just another year, we say -
it’s an extra special one:
to his century last year
Joffre’s adding another one!
For the Nats Club he’s a treasure, he contributed so much… outings, writings, camping, to keep the club in touch.
So hats off we say to you, Joffre Bell, to the rarity you are.
Your life and work throughout the years has gone wide and far.
Of your Second World War service there’d be so much to tell,
but one thing’s sure and certain - Google knows you well!
With a father at Gallipoli who gave to you your name,
you trained first in Canada when the Second World War came.
Then as an airman based in Britain, in the thick of World War 2,
who knows what sort of things you saw, who knows what you went through.
A Second World War airman fortunate to survive;
nearly half of Bomber Command aircrew did not return alive.
But you made it back to Clifton, right here on the Downs,
where your service to the community I reckon knows no bounds.
Among your talents - Esperanto, and I’m sure lots lots more;
you who gave such service with aircrew in the war.
Joffre, ever the gentleman, with gentle voice and smile,
(and on club outings and camping was always dressed in style).
So three cheers for Joffre, the naturalist, and a Clifton man through and through.
Here’s to a birthday cake next year when you’re one hundred and two!
