Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

By the death, at a private hospital fn Sydney on Tuesday night, of Major V. D. Bell, the ranks of Queensland pioneering grazing families were further depleted. Major Bell, who was aged 49, was the son of the late Mr. J. T. M. Bell and Mrs. Bell, of Coochin Coochin, and apart from his war service, durina which he gained considerable distinction in the Royal  Flying Corps, he had spent most of his fife in grazing pursuits. Before the war he had man aged Yarmouth, Cunnamulia, and when the war ended he took over the management of Camboon, on the Dawson River. He was a keen racing man, and founder of the Camboon Amateur Race Club. He had been in hospital for five weeks when his death occurred. The body will be returned to Brisbane to-morrow for burial at Toowong Cemetery.

DEATH OF MAJOR V. D. BELL
Major V. D. Bell, a member of the well-known Queensland pioneer pastoral family of Coochin Coochin, died unexpectedly in St. Luke's Hospital, Sydney, late on Tuesday night.  Major Bell had been ailing for some time, and after a short period at St. Martin's Hospital, Brisbane, he was flown to Sydney, where he had been in hospital for five  weeks. Major  Bell, who was 49 years of age, was the son of the late Mr. J, T. M. Bell, and of Mrs. Bell, who is still living at . Coochin Coochin. Except during the war, in which he served with  distinction, he spent practically the whole of his life in pastoral pursuits, managing station properties in which he was interested with other members of the Bell family. 

OBITUARY.
MAJOR V. D. BELL, O.B.E.
Major V. D. Bell, O.B.E., died at St. Luke's Hospital on Wednesday night at the age of 48 years. He was a part-owner of Coochin Coochin station, near Boonah, and Camboon, near Gayndah. Major Bell was educated at the Ipswich Grammar School, and served during the war with the R.F.C. and the R.A.F. He was mentioned in despatches on several occasions, and awarded the O.B.E. for his services. He was a keen sportsman, and was associated with all sporting activities, in his district. He was a member of the Queensland  Turf Club, and raced several first-class performers, among which was Cairn Wallace, which won a Brisbane Handicap.
The present King, during his visit to Australia when he was Prince of Wales, spent several days at Coochin Coochin as the guest of Major Bell and his mother, brothers, and sisters. Major Bell's wife died 12 months ago. He will be buried at Toowong Cemetery, after a service at St. John's Cathedral (Brisbane), this afternoon.