A Great War 'Western Front' D.S.O., 'Battle of Hill 70' M.C. group of three awarded to...

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.S.O., ‘Battle of Hill 70’ M.C. group of three awarded to Major J. S. Bell, 18th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who was twice Mentioned in Despatches, and was one of only a handful of officers who had served with the 18th Battalion throughout their entire service on the Western Front Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar, in Garrard, London, case of issue; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, in case of issue; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. J. S. Bell. 18/Can: Inf:) good very fine and better (3) £1,600-£2,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- D.S.O. London Gazette 11 January 1919: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the officer commanding had become a casualty he took command of the battalion and handled it in critical circumstances with great ability. His fine example of personal courage under heavy fire and his energy encouraged his men and inspired them with great confidence.’ M.C. London Gazette 18 October 1917; citation published 7 March 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when Adjutant to his battalion. At a critical time, when two platoons in an isolated position were harassed by heavy shelling, he went forward, reorganised the position, and established connection with the company on their flank. He secured this badly battered sector of trench by means of skilfully placed advanced posts and held on under heavy shell fire. He again went forward at night and established a system of reliefs for this difficult part of the line. His work was of the greatest value, and he displayed the utmost pluck and devotion to duty at a very critical time.’ M.I.D. London Gazettes 31 December 1918 and 11 July 1919. James Stark Bell was born in Chesley, Ontario, on 16 August 1888; was educated at the University of Toronto; and was commissioned Lieutenant in the 32nd Bruce Regiment, Canadian Militia, on 9 October 1914. Attesting for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 28 November 1914, he was posted as a Lieutenant to the 18th Battalion (Western Ontario Regiment), Canadian Infantry, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from the Battalion’s arrival in France on 15 September 1915. Appointed Adjutant on 2 June 1917, he was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry at the Battle of Hill 70 in August 1917, and, having been promoted temporary Major on 1 March 1918, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. He was also twice Mentioned in Despatches by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, and was one of only a handful of officers who had served with the 18th Battalion throughout their entire service on the Western Front. Returning home to Canada, he was demobilised on 25 May 1919.