| Surname | Bell | |||
| First Name(s) | Donald Simpson | |||
| Place of Birth | Harrogate | |||
| Club(s) | Bradford Park Avenue Newcastle United | |||
| Service | British Army | |||
| Rank | Second Lieutenant | |||
| Service Number | - | |||
| Previous Service Number(s) | 15722 | |||
| Regiment or Corps | Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment) | |||
| Unit(s) | 9th (Service) Battalion | |||
| Previous Regiment(s) or Corps | The 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 Photo | View | |||
| Awards and Decorations | Victoria 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 Notes | Commissioned 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. |
