Dr Robert Bell, of Dunstable Road, Luton, has arrived from Egypt on sick leave, and brings back some very interesting news of the Luton boys out there.

Dr Bell accepted his commission in the Royal Army Medical Corps about a year ago, and after a little time in this country he went out to Egypt and North Africa. In Egypt he has been engaged on a medical board, examining and classifying men who have been sent to his depot from all portions of the Eastern outposts through wounds or sickness.

A Telegraph representative has had an interesting chat with Dr Bell, who came home to find himself the father of a beautiful baby girl. His little one was perhaps somewhat inspired with awe at the uniform at first, but now confidently recognises her devoted father behind the dignified exterior ofa military officer.

Our representative found Dr Bell (pictured right) looking thinner than he was a year ago, but just the same kindly physician and gentleman he has always been. It is gratifying to know that the Luton lads who came before him "out there" have received the most sympathetic treatment.

Dr Bell said that on the way home he had a very alarming experience, for he was in a night collision in the Mediterranean.

"I was the hospital doctor on the ship," he said, "and, as we came through the sea in the darkness, a Canadian steamer ran into us and drove a hole in our side. Of course, we all thought it was a torpedo, for we could not see in the dark, the boats being without lights.

"I waited for the explosion, but it did not come, and then I knew it was not a torpedo. Everybody rushed up on deck, including my sick patients who I had just attended to. Everybody was ready for the worst, but our ship make its own steam and, although we were 40 miles from land, much to our astonishment we ran aground after about four hours steaming.

"For three hours we were all standing by the boats, and I was in my pyjamas, for the collision came just after I had got into bed. Happily there were no casualties."

Dr Bell had much to say in praise of those men he met from Luton and Bedfordshire. "I saw a lot of the Luton boys. They were among the pluckiest, the cheeriest and the most determined out there, despite the fact that the lads I saw were wounded or invalided. Several of them recognised me, and they all asked how Luton was getting on.

"They had been away a very long time. I am afraid the soldiers who get out to places like Egypt and Mesopotamia are not so much thought of as those nearer home. It is believed that they have an easy time of it, but in those tropical climates they have a lot to put up with. It is hard existence in the desert, and I hope those at home will show as great kindness to our lads out there as to those elsewhere, for they deserve it.

"The desert is most trying. There is the scarcity of water, and the mosquitoes are terribly troublesome. I was bad for some days with a mosquito bite and I seemed particularly susceptible to their stings. I had a fearful temperature, and I never got into bed without mosquitoes buzzing round immediately. I could not bear the suffocating sensation from the mosquito net."

The doctor added: "The thing that strikes one about these boys is that they are so cheerful and ready to do more. I feel sorry for some who have been out there over two years, and many had been through the Suvla Bay [Gallipoli] campaign, which remains a nightmare."

Dr Bell has not yet decided as to remaining in the Army or coming back to his practice in Luton. Naturally his wife and child have a call on him, and he is over military age. But he added: "When one thinks what the boys are going through, one wants to do all in one's power to help them. Some have been wounded over and over again, and others have lost their lives.

"Then the doctors in Luton are very kind and, although terribly overworked, have promised to keep on my practice if I go back. Of course, I may be sent to France. And I must say that, coming through France, I was impressed by the fine spirit of our men coming home, fresh from the trenches. They are so keen and eager and determined, and it makes one feel how difficult it is to leave them yet."

Dr Bell has leave till the 16th, and his decision will be made before then.

[Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: January 6th, 1916]