Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Lieutenant-Colonel J. D. Bell, M.C., (Officer Commanding) 7th Army Field Workshop, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, killed in action during the retreat from Dunkirk in May 1940

1939-45 Star; War Medal, together with named condolence slip and card box of issue addressed to his widow at Bridge-of-Weir, Renfrewshire, extremely fine (2) £150-200

M.C. London Gazette 3 June 1918 (Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery).

Lieutenant Colonel John Douglas Bell, M.C. was killed in action during the retreat from Dunkirk on 27 May 1940, whilst serving with 7th Army Field Workshop, Royal Army Ordnance Corps. He is buried at Dunkirk Town Cemetery, France.

The following is extracted from the War Diary: ‘On May 27th orders were given to abandon vehicles and equipment. The whole unit marched into Dunkirk. Lt. Col. J. D. Bell, M.C. was killed by a bomb splinter during an air attack on the main Dunkirk-Berques Road. The unit was housed in various cellars in Dunkirk during the continuous air attacks which took place from mid-day until 6:15p.m. in the evening. Under the cover of dusk the Unit assembled on the beach at Dunkirk..’