Nostalgia: Remembering Harrogate man who was 'first professional footballer to volunteer for army in First World War'
The family of a Harrogate military hero who was the first professional footballer to volunteer for service in the First World War have paid a personal visit to a new exhibition in North Yorkshire.
Second Lieutenant Donald Simpson Bell, who was to win a VC at the Battle of the Somme, had become a successful professional footballer with Bradford Park Avenue in 1913 to supplement his wages as a teacher at Starbeck School.
A brilliant all-round sportsman, Bell’s sense of duty was such that he volunteered for conscription even before Lord Kitchener’s famous "Your country needs you” call-to-arms.
He was killed five days later on the fields of France in July 1916 as the Green Howards launched a counter-attack against German soldiers.
This week saw his descendants make the journey to Richmond to visit The Green Howards Museum in order to hold Bell's Victoria Cross in person.
Donald Bell’s bravery that fateful day on the Western Front in 1916 was described by a comrade at the time.
“Bell dashed forward with an armful of bombs and started to clear out a hornet’s nest of Huns who were ready to take toll of our advancing troops,” he said.
"He advanced with great courage right up to where the enemy were posted.
"He took careful aim and bowled out several of the Germans.
"Unfortunately he was hit. For a while he fought on but was hit again.
"He got weaker and weaker, and had to relax his efforts.
"He collapsed suddenly and when we reached him he was dead.”
The family of 2nd Lt Donald Simpson Bell were given special permission by the National Football Museum to hold Donald's Victoria Cross at the Special Exhibition: Battle Bowlers & Football Boots, which will run at The Green Howards Museum until Wednesday, December 30.
The permanent memorial to Donald Bell called Bell's Redoubt is located at Contalmaison in northern France.
His grave lies in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Ovillers-La-Boisselle.
The memorial was mainly funded by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), at the behest of the Friends of The Green Howards Museum.