Douglas Bell was educated at Perth Academy and Edinburgh University, where he graduated MA in 1938.

The Second Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers (2 KOSB) were in India when war broke out in September 1939.

In June 1943 Douglas Bell was a Lieutenant with the battalion, who were stationed at Piska Camp, Ranchi, NE India. He was promoted to Acting Captain the following month. The battalion sailed with the 7th (Indian) Division to Burma in September 1943. By October, 2 KOSB were in Arakan (Wabyin), Burma.

Extract from the War Diary of 2 KOSB

"On 27th October 1943, Captain D. M. Bell was in charge of Bull Patrol, which consisted of 4 Full Ranks, and 30 Other Ranks. Their orders were to approach the rear of point 134 via re-entrant 357437, find out if Pt. 134 was occupied and if so attack it."

"Time out of the patrol was 2000 hrs, 27 Oct 43, Time in was 0600 hrs, 28 Oct 43. The enemy were located at Pt. 134, and Spur 357438, at 0220 hrs, and the position was found to be strongly held and wired. Spur 356441 was located at 0730 hrs - Strength L.M.G.

“APPENDIX ‘A’"

“Patrol crossed CHAUNG and moved up re-entrant 358437 and on to SPUR 357438, where they encountered wire and a fox-hole, which they found to be unoccupied but a shovel lying beside it. They moved forward through the wire until they came across several strands of wire with tins attached. The patrol Comdr. put his Pln. In an all-round defensive position and decided to wait until first light to decide on any further action. After half an hour (0220 hrs.) Three L.M.Gs opened up from short range and hand grenades were thrown (discharger cups were believed to have been used)."

“CASUALTIES - ENEMY:- NOT KNOWN “CASUALTIES - OWN TPS:- SIX WOUNDED, EVACUATED TO A.D.S.; 2 POSSIBLY KILLED; 1 OFFICER AND 3 O.Rs BELIEVED WOUNDED; 6 O.Rs NOT YET RETURNED.”

Subsequent to this action Captain D.M. Bell was recorded on three casualty lists: 12 November 1943, Missing (date not reported); 6 December 1943, Missing (believed Prisoner of War); 26 February 1946, previously reported missing, now presumed killed in Action 28/10/43.

Douglas Bell’s body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial to the Missing. Douglas Bell is also commemorated on the University of Edinburgh War Memorial, Old College.