| Donald Simpson Bell | |
|---|---|
| 3 December 1890 – 10 July 1916 | |
 Donald Simpson Bell as depicted on a Cigarette card |
|
| Place of birth | Harrogate, England |
| Place of death | France |
| Place of burial | Gordon Dump Cemetery, France |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |  British Army |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant |
| Unit | 9th Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own) |
| Battles/wars | World War I - First Battle of the Somme |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
| Other work | Footballer |
Donald Simpson Bell VC (3 December 1890 – 10 July 1916) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Football
Bell was born on 3 December 1890 to Smith and Annie Bell, who resided in Queen's Rd., Harrogate. He was married to Rhoda Bell.[1] Before the war, he had been a footballer, and had played as an amateur with Crystal Palace and Newcastle United. In 1912 he turned professional and moved to Bradford (Park Avenue). He attended Harrogate Grammar School, which is still there. His prestigious Victoria Cross sits in the entrance hall of the school today.
World War I
When World War I broke out, he became the first professional footballer to enlist into the British Army – joining the West Yorkshire Regiment in 1915.[2] He was rapidly promoted to Lance Corporal and then was commissioned into the 9th Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Alexandra, Princess of Wales' Own) in 1915. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 5 July 1916 at Horseshoe Trench, Somme, France. He was killed in action on 10 July 1916.
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.[3]
He is buried at Gordon Dump Cemetery, France at the following location: 4m NE of Albert. Plot IV. Row A. Grave 8. Headstone. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Green Howards Museum in Richmond, Yorkshire.
References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - The Somme (Gerald Gliddon, 1994)
- ^ Bell, Donald Simpsons, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- ^ Paul Stokes (19 June 2001). "Somme memorial to mark English football's VC". Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2000/06/28/nvc28.xml.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29740, p. 8870, 9 September 1916. Retrieved on 8 November 2009.
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