Donald Simpson Bell

He crossed open ground to silence a deadly enemy machine gun

Donald Simpson Bell was born at Harrogate on 3 December 1890. He trained as a teacher at Westminster College in London and combined school work with football. After playing as an amateur, he signed professional forms for Bradford Park Avenue in 1912.

Bell enlisted in the West Yorkshire Regiment in November 1914. He became a non-commissioned officer and was commissioned into the 9th Battalion in June 1915. He reached France that November and served during the Battle of the Somme.

On 5 July 1916, near Contalmaison, an enemy machine gun checked his company's advance at Horseshoe Trench. Bell went forward with two men across exposed ground. He shot the gunner and attacked the remaining defenders with bombs, capturing the gun and helping the attack continue. His decisive action earned the Victoria Cross.

Five days later he was killed while carrying out another attack against an enemy position near the Mametz road. There was no later civilian or military career. His widow received the posthumous decoration from King George V in December 1916.

Bell was initially buried near the place where he fell, known as Bell's Redoubt, and later reinterred in Gordon Dump Cemetery. His Victoria Cross and campaign medals preserve the service of a schoolteacher and professional footballer whose brief military career ended during the Somme offensive.

Official Victoria Cross citation

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 gallant officer lost his life performing a very similar act of bravery.

Supplement to The London Gazette of 8 September 1916. 9 September 1916, Numb. 29740, p. 8870