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Auction: 23111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 687

The campaign group of eight awarded to Assistant Chaplain General A. Bell, Australian Military Forces, a veteran of the Gallipoli campaign who was wounded in action and later wrote Among The Ruins, a New Guinea Epic

1914-15 Star (2107 Pte A. Bell. 2/BN A.I.F.; British War and Victory Medals (2107 Pte. A. Bell. 2 Bn A.I.F.); 1939-1945 Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45 with M.I.D. oak leaf, the Great War awards mounted as worn, very fine (8)

M.I.D. London Gazette 6 March 1947:

'For exceptional service in the field in S.W.P. area.'

Arthur Bell was born on 29 January 1895 at Sunderland and enlisted on 10 May 1915, his mother at the time lived in Arncliffe, New South Wales. A Divinity Student at the time of enlistment he joined the Australian Imperial Force on the 6 August 1915. Entering the war that same year he suffered Gun Shot Wounds to the Back and Right Leg on the 11 August 1915 and was was transferred back to England on the 23 September 1915 moving to 3rd Western General Hospital in Cardiff on 5 October 1915.

He was subsequently Invalided to Australia on 8 May 1916 and discharged on 14 September 1916 claiming a War pension and was living at Marine Drive, Dummoyne. He re-enlisted at Caulfield, Victoria in with the new number of VX27405 and wrote Among The Ruins in 1943.

Sold together with the following archive comprising:

(i)
Soldier's and Dependents' Welfare Association Badge for Drummoyne 1916, engraved on reverse (1914-18 Pte A. Bell Fought For His Countrys Honor).

(ii)
Badge to the Women of Australia, numbered on reverse (65644).

(iii)
Great War and Second World War identity tags.

(iv)
Riband bar confirming full entitlement.

(v)
A copy of Among the Ruins, named to Ethel Bell.

(vi)
Australia shoulder titles and minor ribands etc.

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Sold for
£250

Starting price
£170