THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

BELL Peter Harvey

23/27, Lieutenant Colonel, 3 Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade

Home Guard Service WW2

CITATION

Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath

Gazetted

Distinguished Service Order

Gazetted 2 December 1918, p14215

For conspicuous gallantry and ability.  During an attack he found that troops on his flank had been unable to reach their objective due to the loss of many officers.  He immediately rearranged his plan of operations and reorganized his men under most difficult circumstances, and personally directed the advance of his companies under heavy fire.  It was mainly due to his energy and initiative and entire disregard of personal safety that our advance was continued and all objectives taken

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted 1 June 1917, p5429

For consistently good work and devotion to duty as Company Commander and as Acting Second-in-Command.  At the Somme, from the 21st September 1916 until the battalion came out of the trenches on the 4th October, Major Bell as Second-in-Command carried out all of the important work of sending up rations and ammunition with such conspicious ability that in no case were the men short of food or other supplies, under most difficult conditions, a fact that contributed  to a very great extent to the fine work done by the Battalion.  On the 10th December 1916 on the Boutillierie Sector, near Armentieres, Major /bell was in command of his company when the enemy attempted a raid on the salient he occupied.  His plans for any attempt of this kind had been carefully arranged, and under his personal direction this Company, though subjected to a very heavy preliminary bombardment repelled the attack, which was stopped as it reached the outer slopes of our parapet.  In this encounter, as in others, Major Bell displayed freat coolness and ability.

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted 28 December 1917, p13575

For conspicuous good work and devotion to duty as 2nd-in-Command of his Battalion.  This Officer has on several occasions been detailed to command other Battalions of the Brigade, and has always shown marked ability and courage in carrying out his duties.  His work has always been of a very high order

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted 31 December 1918, p15231

Sir D. Haig's despatch of 8th November 1918, submitting names deserving of special mention

Croix de Guerre (France)

Gazetted 17 December 1917, p13206

For distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign

AWARDS

Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath

Distinguished Service Order

1914-15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Mention in Despatches (3)

War Medal 1939-45

New Zealand War Service Medal

Coronation Medal 1937

New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal

Croix de Guerre (France)

Legion of Merit (USA)

NOTES

Born 27 June 1886, Wanganui, New Zealand

Died 15 January 1963, Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand