MILITARY archivists have launched an appeal to trace relatives of a Saltcoats soldier who died during the First World War.

David Bell, 2nd Lieutenant with the Scottish Horse - a regiment first raised during the second Boer War in 1900 - lived with his mother, Agnes Bell (nee Armour), and father, George Bell, at 4 Wellpark Road, Saltcoats where David attended the Ardrossan Public School.

The soldier’s name was one of 93 contained in a notebook which was the subject of research carried out in 2019 by Dunkeld Community Archive volunteers - and their findings took them on an interesting journey of discovery that only just reached its conclusion last month.

The small but historic document once belonged to the Rev Wilfred Callin and features the name and rank of soldiers killed in action during the months of October and November 1918 and the trench map co-ordinates where they were initially buried.

Archive members checked their names on the War Graves Commission database and discovered that Mr Bell was only mentioned on a memorial in Vis-en-Artois, France, and had no actual grave, leading them to ponder whether he was still buried at that location.

Further research from a team known as the MOD War Detectives - involving cross referencing with exhumation and re-burial papers from 1919 - then confirmed that the soldier lying in grave ref. III.D.5 in Prospect Hill Cemetery near Gouy, France, was 2nd Lieutenant David Bell.

After funding was received, two representatives from Dunkeld Archive attended a re-dedication ceremony in France on Tuesday, March 22 - and they are now hoping to track down any family members.

“It was an extremely moving experience, and one I am proud to have been part of”, said Ruth Brown, manager and archivist.

After his father’s death in a mining accident in 1893 aged 32, David moved to 13 New Stock Street, Paisley where he was an engine cleaner.

At the time of his enlistment in 1914 the family were living at 9 Nielson Road, Paisley.

He married Elizabeth McRae Lang Bell in 1917 and her address was 1a Sherwood Buildings, Paisley. David had one brother, Robert, who died in 1919.

He had five sisters, Mary, Agnes, Jane, Elizabeth and Ellen.

Any information relating to this family can be passed on to Ruth at archives@historicdunkeld.org.uk.

Louise Dorr, MOD War Detective, said: “It’s always a very great joy to us when a soldier’s name is returned to him and we’re able to recognise and rededicate his grave in the presence of his military family.

“May Second Lieutenant David Bell rest in peace.”