Spink is pleased to announce the sale of the outstanding Great War July 1916 Somme V.C. casualty group of four awarded to Second Lieutenant D.S. Bell, Yorkshire Regiment. This is one of four V.C.s being sold at Spink this Thursday. This is the first time in over a decade that this many Victoria Crosses have come up for sale in one auction. In 1913 Donald Bell, having had spells as an amateur with both Crystal Palace and Newcastle United, signed professional forms with Bradford Park Avenue F.C. After the outbreak of war in August 1914, Bell decided to serve his country in battle, ended his contract with the Football Club and enlisted as a Private in the 9th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. In the summer of 1916, Bell performed a heroic act that saved many lives and insured his place in military history books. Under heavy military fire from a German Machine Post, Bell bravely rushed the hostile machine gun, killing the gunner with his rifle and taking out fifty other military personnel with bombs. His bravery saved many lives of British soldiers and ensured a successful attack. Sadly, five days after the attack, Bell lost his life performing yet another heroic act. Bell's medals will be sold at auction this Thursday, 25th November 2010 and are estimated to fetch between £140,000-160,000.