Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War M.M. and Second Award Bar group of three awarded to Corporal E. E. Bell, 1/5th Battalion, West Riding Regiment

Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (268495 Pte. E. E. Bell. 1/5 W. Rid: R.-T.F.); British War and Victory Medals (268495 Cpl.E. E. Bell. W. Rid. R.) very fine (3) £600-£800

M.M. London Gazette 28 January 1918.

M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 14 May 1919.

Ernest Edward Bell was born in Baildon, West Yorkshire, around 1888. A married textile clerk, he was twice decorated with the Military Medal for gallantry displayed on the Western Front. Serving as part of the 147th (2nd West Riding) Brigade of the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division, his Battalion fought on the Somme and at Ypres, and were hard pressed in the winter of 1917-18; by late January 1918, losses through casualties and injuries led to the 1/5th and 2/5th Battalions being amalgamated into a single 5th Battalion.