Thomas was educated at Heversham Grammar School in Westmorland between 1878-1881 and then at Dover College between 1881 – 1887. He entered University College, London and commenced the study of medicine at University College Hospital in 1887. Thomas obtained the Licentiate qualification of the Society of Apothecaries of London [LSA] in 1894 and also married Jessie Bell the same year. On the 12th March 1895, Thomas was registered in England as a medical practitioner in the British Medical Register. He was awarded the Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians of London [LRCP] on the 31st October 1895, and was admitted to Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of England [MRCS] during November 1895. He served as an Assistant Medical Officer of the Cumberland and Westmorland Lunatic Asylum at Carleton near Carlisle, and as Resident Medical Officer of the Carlisle Dispensary. In 1896/1897, Dr Thomas Bell represented the United Hospitals and Cumberland County at Rugby Football and plays on the northern side in the North vs. South match. He then moved to live and work in Leeds in West Yorkshire (living and keeping his surgery at No. 13, St. Mark’s Terrace, Woodhouse in Leeds). On the 6th October 1914, Dr Bell began service as a volunteer (TF) medical officer with the 7th (Reserve) Battalion, The West Yorkshire Regiment. He completed application for a commission in the RAMC on the 23rd December 1914. The Battalion was re-designated as the 2/7th Battalion, The West Yorkshire Regiment (Leeds Rifles) in February 1915 and Dr Bell was the Medical Officer, with effect from 6 October 1914. He was promoted to the rank of Captain, with effect the 6 April 1915. The Battalion crossed to France in January 1917 (War Office records indicate that Capt Bell landed in France on 7 January 1917). By the 11th December 1917, Capt Bell had contracted trench fever at Cambrai, and reported sick on that day, resulting with him being evacuated to England. Posted on strength, 51st (Graduated) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, Henham Camp, Wangford in Suffolk, Capt Bell underwent an examination by a medical board and was found fit for duty, category B2, 30 July 1918. He was posted to Italy. Posted on strength, Convalescent Depot. On the 25 March 1919, he demobilised and was released from the army, he was awarded the British War and Victory Medals. Dr Bell resumed the practice of medicine in Leeds (when The Medical Directory for 1943 was published Bell was shown as living at No. 175, Hyde Park Road in Leeds.) Capt Thomas Dobson Bell was the son of Thomas Bell and his wife, Jane Dobson. [Special thanks to William de Villiers]