Adjutant Bella Gordon Haine Jacobs Lyall was commissioned in 1909.

A deep sorrow has befallen Adjutant Lyall of Territorial Headquarters in the death of his wife, who was the eldest daughter of Colonel and Mrs. Jacobs. She passed away in her home in Toronto on Friday Morning, December 9th.

The funeral service was conducted by the Chief Secretary in the Temple, a large congregation being present to pay the last tribute of respect to one who was loved by all who knew her. Lt.-Col. Noble led in prayer, committing the sorrowing relatives to the God of all comfort.

“Our comrade has been called to leave the ranks below to join the glorified throng above,” said the Chief Secretary. “By this time she has heard, 'Well done good and faithful servant,' from her Lord. But our hearts go out in sympathy to the bereaved. May God be with them in this hour of sorrow.”

He then read the following message from Commissioner Mapp to Adjutant Lyall and Colonel and Mrs. Jacobs:

“Your Comrades everywhere send expressions of their deeply-felt sorrow, sympathy and love. Our hearts truly sympathize. We commend you to Him who has promised 'When thous passest through the waters I will be with thee.'”

Brigadier DesBrisay read a portion of Scripture and spoke of her associations with our late comrade. She had watched her career with interest, she said, he whole life appearing to her as the unfolding of a beautiful flower.

Mrs. Colonel McMillan paid a tribute to the lovely character of Mrs. Lyall. “She was bright and brave, and so cheerful, even to the last” she said. “She was very patient, very thoughtful for others and was quite resigned to God's will.”

Colonel Jacobs, in a voice broken with emotion, told of his hopes for his daughter. “She was dedicated to God and the Army in infancy,” he said “and it was a great pleasure to me and Mrs. Jacobs to see her develop as a soldier of Christ. On one occasion the Army Mother put her hand on Bella's head and said: 'Train her for God and the Army.' We always had great joy to us when she decided to become an Officer. It was a glad sacrifice for us to give her up for Officership and when we heard of the progress she made at various Corps we felt that it was our reward. We did not fully grasp the fact however that service for God might be here or in the other world. God has now called her to serve Him in the that Better Land and our comfort is that she is as much engaged in His service there as here for it is written: 'His servants shall serve Him.'”

Adjutant Lyall spoke of his wife's last few days on earth. “Thank everybody for their kindness and tell them I am ready,” was her last message to her comrades. Then she quoted a favorite verse.

“Give me Thy strength, O God of power, Then winds may blow, or thunders roar, Thy faithful Witness will I be; 'Tis fixed: I can do all through Thee.”

“I am so tired I now want to go” she said and shortly afterwards fell asleep in Jesus.

During the service Mrs. Ensign Laurie soloed “I shall know Him” and the Staff Quartette sang “Just Beyond.”

The interment took place in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, the Chief Secretary conducting a short service at the graveside.

The late Mrs. Adjutant Lyall (nee Captain Bella Jacobs) entered the International Training Garrison in 1908. She was appointed Cadet-Sergeant the following year and then went to the Field with the rank of Captain. She had charge of three Corps - Ipswich, Coltishaw and Nottingham IV. She was then appointed to National Headquarters under Commissioner Higgins. Her marriage took place in 1914. As Home League Secretary for the South of England she did good work in inaugurating Home Leagues and selecting suitable Local Officers for them. In 1918 she came to Canada, the Adjutant following shortly afterwards. To the bereaved husband, and the two children, Alex and Dorothy, to the father and mother and other relatives we extend our sympathy.

• Family Search