As people up and down the country remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice 100 years ago, we recall the story of former Palace reserve team player Donald Bell – the first footballer to receive the Victoria Cross.
Born in Harrogate on 3rd December 1890, Donald Bell was a student teacher while playing football for Starbeck School and Harrogate Christchurch in the Yorkshire leagues. Aged 19 he moved south to study teaching at Westminster Methodist College and while he was there he played rugby, cricket and football as a full-back, but at some point just before his move, he became involved with Palace as an amateur.