VC for footballer killed in Battle of Somme goes under hammer

But Harrogate-born former professional footballer Second Lieutenant Donald Bell had already proved himself a hero only days earlier – charging into No Man's Land under murderous fire to take out a German machine gun post and killing 50 of the enemy.

For that act of valour, the officer, 25, from the Yorkshire Regiment, was recommended for the Victoria Cross. However, he was killed repeating his heroics five days later and the VC was awarded to his widow Rhoda by George V at Buckingham Palace in December 1916.

Now the VC , together with campaign medals and other memorabilia, is expected to fetch up to 160,000 when it is offered from a private source at specialist auctioneers Spink's in London on November 25.

Donald Bell was educated at Harrogate Grammar School and Westminster College, London. He taught at Starbeck Council School, Harrogate, and supplemented his income by signing professional forms for Bradford Park Avenue, making his debut as a full-back in 1913.

At the outbreak of war, he became the first pro. footballer to join up.