Whiteford was educated at Wellington College, and at Edinburgh University, where he qualified M.B., Ch.B. in 1905. On 30th July 1906 he took up a commission within the Medical Services at the rank of Lieutenant, then was stationed in Hong Kong from 1908 to 1912, during which time he gained promotion to the rank of Captain on 30th January 1910. In 1914 he took the diploma in public health [DPH]. On the outbreak of war he was designated to serve with No 2 Field Ambulance, entering the war in France, with the unit, on 19th August 1914 as the officer commanding the Bearer Division. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on all occasions, notably near Loos between September 28th and October 1st 1915, when he visited the advanced bearer post day and night under continuous shell fire, and personally supervised the arrangements for collecting and evacuating the wounded in that area. Captain Bell has commanded a bearer division since August 1914.” During this time, on the 5th June, he was part of a small party to witness gas experiments to test the newly created gas marks. On 19th October he temporarily took over the duties of the Divisional Sanitary Officer, and was appointed Sanitary Officer again from 14th January to 11th March 1916 when Captain Honeybourne was sent to hospital. He was appointed the rank of temporary Major on 16th March 1916. Just before, on 11th March 1916 he was posted to take up temporary command of the 111th Field Ambulance. He remained as their commanding officer, at the rank of acting Lieutenant Colonel from 22nd August 1916 to 2nd March 1919. During this time he received promotion to the rank of Major on 30th July 1918. In 1919 he was posted to serve with No 1 Casualty Clearing Station. After the war, in 1919 he went to Burma, then onto India, serving there from 1919 to 1924. In 1926 to 1929 he was stationed in Nigeria (Seconded to Colonial Office). On 11th September 1930 he was appointed temporary Lieutenant Colonel, then received promotion to Lieutenant Colonel on 17th October 1930. On 8th December 1933 he retired, and ceased to be on the Roll of Officer on 26th January 1936. Due to the outbreak of World War 2, he was re-employed in rank of Major on 27th January 1941, and was on Trooping duties until 1943, when he retired due to ill health. His rank was restored to Lieutenant Colonel on 18th February 1944. He was the son of Colonel Whiteford John Bell, 93rd Sutherland Highlanders, of Troqueer Moat, Dumfries; and the husband of Vyvian Lydia Winifred A.R.R.C., the daughter of Harington Bird, A.R.C.A. - married in 1919.