Surgeon-Major George Coates Bell was born in May 1832, the son of D.C. Bell (see Lot 271), and qualified in medicine in Edinburgh in 1855, prior to his appointment as Assistant-Surgeon in the Indian Medical Service in October of the latter year. Attached to the Artillery in the Persia operations of 1856-57, he was present at the capture of Reshire and Bushire, in addition to the action of Khooshab, and afterwards witnessed further active service in the Mutiny, when he was present in the pursuit of Tantia Topi in Central India, services that resulted in a Mention in Despatches. Advanced to Surgeon in October 1867 and to Surgeon Major in July 1873, Bell retired from the Service five years later and died in October 1883. His son, George Henry, was an Officer in the Indian Army (see Lot 577).