Description
“The regiment was moving across some open ground under heavy shell fire, and your son and I were together at the moment we were both knocked over. He was hit on the back and the right arm. I can only assure you that his gallantry and devotion to duty has been most marked.” – His commanding officer writes home to his father Lt Colonel Bell, of his fatal wound.
He was after his death, posthumously Mentioned in Despatches in Field Marshal Sir John French’s Despatch of 31st May 1915.
Queen’s South Africa, 2 bars, Cape Colony, South Africa 1902, 1914 Star, with clasp 5th Aug – 22nd Nov 1914, Captain Alexander Murray MacGregor Bell, 1st Bn Scots Fusiliers, Wounded at Ypres 1915 and died, Posthumous MID.
QSA officially impressed: “Lieut: A. M. Mac G. Bell. A. & S. Highrs.”
1914 Star officially impressed: “Capt: A.M. Mac G Bell. R. Sc: Fus.”
Note the QSA clasps are high quality period “Tailors Copies” as he was awarded the medal without clasps, later being awarded the 2 clasps separately, most Officers of means just simply bought them instead.
Star claimed by his father in 1917 and issued in 1919, the WW1 Pair was issued later in 1921.
Provenance, Ex DNW 17/09/199 the Massie Collection of Argyll & Sutherland Highlander Medals, and again on 26th June 2008.
Captain Alexander Murray MacGregor Bell was born on 4th September 1880 at Weymouth into a distinguished Military Family, technically born in England his family was staunchly Scottish, after his death his father wrote to correct a statement in his son’s obituary “In which you state I am an Englishman, I can lay no claim to being so, as my ancestors for generations have been Scotch, and I was born in Edinburgh.”
Being the son of Lieutenent Colonel William Bell, 56th Foot & Isabel Margaret (Isabelle Marguerite aka Ella Murray) Bell nee Murray-Macgregor, who was the daughter of Major General Evan Murray-MacGregor, Bombay Cavalry, and Grand Daughter of Major General Alexander Macgregor Murray.
His mothers side of the family had an interesting and complicated history having fought in the Jacobite Rising of 1745 against the government and his family having also become Chief of Clan Gregor.
This was the source of his middle names “Murray MacGregor”.
In fact he is a direct descendant, on his mother’s side, of his Great-Great-Great Grandfather Major Evan MacGregor aka Evan Murray, a legendary Jacobite, who was aide de camp to the Bonnie Prince Charlie during the 1745 Jacobite Uprising, and is credited with firing the first shot at the Battle of Prestonpans, later being awarded a Dirk by the Prince for services, the whole of Clan Gregor taking heavy casualties at the battle receiving over 20 wounded and being regaled at Dinner by the Prince afterwards.
He was forced to surrender following the defeat and imprisoned for 3 years at Edinburgh. His son was later the Chief of the Clan and Evan is credited with various remarkable victories and feats.
Receiving his education at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Kingston and Stirling High School.
As a young man he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant into the 3rd Militia Battalion of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders from 30th December 1901.
He served with them in South Africa from 1st February until 23rd September 1902, earning his QSA Medal.
Remaining with the Army after the Boer War he took on a full time commission joining the Royal Garrison Artillery from 1903, before transferring to the Dorset Regiment in May 1905.
During January 1907 he was promoted to Lieutenant and posted to the Royal Scots Fusiliers, becoming Captain with them during 1912.
Before the war, he saw the posting as Aide-de-Camp to the Governer of Natal from May 1904 – May 1905.
Also being the Superintendent of Gymnasia at Scottish Command from February 1913 – November 1914 until he hurried to France to fight.
Having the chance to see active service he rejoined his regiment and was sent to France.
Entered into France with 1st Bn Royal Scots Fus on 3rd November 1914.
During this time he was appointed as Adjutant to the battalion during December 1914.
It was during the fighting in the Battle of Ypres on 19th February 1915 that he received his soon to be fatal wound.
The war diary recalls the day:
“The Battalion was ordered to retire to Ypres at 9:30am, retirement completed 12.30am under heavy shell fire.
Capt & Adjut Bell & 12 men were wounded…”
Following his wound he was evacuated back to England, but it proved fatal and he died at London Hospital of his wounds on 28th April 1915.
He was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery in the family grave.
His brother William would later join him being killed in action with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders during 1917.
