War service: Western Front

Transferred to 23rd Field Artillery Brigade, England, 20 December 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 31 December 1916; transferred to, and taken on strength of, 8th Field Artillery Brigade, in the field, 6 January 1917.

Admitted to 4th Australian Field Ambulance, 17 August 1917 (dysentery); transferred to 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station, 21 August 1917; to 3rd General Hospital, Le Treport, 23 August 1917 (influenza); to England, 25 September 1917, and admitted to Bath War Hospital, 26 September 1917 (trench fever). Transferred to 3rd Auxiliary hospital, Dartford, 5 November 1917; discharged to No 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 14 November 1917.

Marched out to Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, 5 January 1918; marched out to Reserve Brigade Australian Artillery, Heytesbury, 5 March 1918.

Proceeded overseas to France, 10 March 1918; rejoined 8th Field Artillery Brigade, in the field, 9 June 1918.

Transferred to 28th Bn, and taken on strength, in the field, 14 July 1918.

Detached to 7th Brigade Headquarters, in the field, 14 July 1918; rejoined 28th Bn, 19 March 1919.

Proceeded to AIF Headquarters, London, 20 March 1919, and granted leave, 31 March to 31 September 1919, with pay and subsistence, to undertake Non-Military Employment: photography with J.C. Harper, Leith Walk, Leith. Final report stated: 'During the term of his employment with Mr Harper, Pte Bell was given special instruction in operating and high class printing, and the opportunities afforded him should be to his benefit.'

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Devon', 5 October 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 27 November 1919; discharged, Sydney, 20 January 1920.