Donald Simpson Bell | Service Record


SurnameBell
First Name(s)Donald Simpson
Place of BirthHarrogate
Club(s)Bradford Park Avenue
Newcastle United
ServiceBritish Army
RankSecond Lieutenant
Service Number-
Previous Service Number(s)15722
Regiment or CorpsAlexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment)
Unit(s)9th (Service) Battalion
Previous Regiment(s) or CorpsThe Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
Unit(s)9th (Service) Battalion
Type of Casualty (If applicable)Killed in Action
Theatre of War (If applicable)Western European Theatre
Date of Death (If applicable)10/07/1916
Place of Death (If applicable)France and Flanders
Place of Burial/Commemoration (If applicable)Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers-la-Boisselle
Grave/Memorial Reference (If applicable)IV. A. 8.
Grave PhotoView
Awards and DecorationsVictoria Cross
Citation(s)Temp. 2nd Lt. Donald Simpson Bell, late York. R.
"For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack a very heavy enfilade fire was opened on the attacking company by a hostile machine gun. 2nd Lt. Bell immediately, and on his own initiative, crept up a communication trench and then, followed by Corpl. Colwill and Pte. Batey, rushed across the open under very heavy fire and attacked the machine gun, shooting the firer with his revolver, and destroying gun and personnel with bombs. This very brave act saved many lives and ensured the success of the attack. Five days later this very gallant officer lost his life performing a very similar act of bravery."
(The London Gazette: Supplement No. 29740. p. 8870. 9 September 1916.)
Supplementary NotesCommissioned from lance corporal in 1915. Son of Smith and Annie Bell, of Western Flats, Queen's Rd., Harrogate; husband of Rhoda Bell of Charnwood, Altrincham Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire.