During the construction of the Algonquin Bridge over the Kusten Canal on 18 April 1945, Lance-Sergeant Schell was in charge of a construction party. The site was under heavy and accurate mortaring and shelling and was frequently swept by machine gun and sniper fire from the flanks. Lance-Sergeant Schell, working on girder bracing, the most exposed position on the job, carried on his work with the greatest coolness and deliberation. Several times bullets bounced off the steel members beside him, but Lance-Sergeant Schell ignored these and, by his actions and words of encouragement, inspired all his men to continue their work without interruption. At one time when mortaring on the near approach was particularly intense, this Non-Commissioned Officer returned to one of the bridging lorries there to obtain small parts needed by his party to carry on the job. On completion of this phase, Lance-Sergeant Schell and a small party crossed the canal to place rollers in position. Again Lance-Sergeant Schell carried out the painstaking work on the roller layout, essential for the successful launching of the bridge, without regard for mortaring or close range sniping, and again he succeeded in keeping his party at work till the job was done. Lance-Sergeant Schell's courage, determination and splendid leadership in this action ensured that as soon as construction was completed the bridge was launched without delay.