Donald Morrell was born in York, Yorkshire, England on 17 June 1892. In the 1911 England Census his occupation is given as Architect's Articled Pupil. and his address was given as 34 Scarcroft Road, York.
A design for a village hall by him is discussed and illustrated (p.136) in 'Some Remarks Upon a Series of Designs for a Village Hall' in 'The Studio' March 1911 pp.132-138.
Morrell remained in York until the time of his marriage in 1918. Soon after it would seem he moved to London. He was employed as an architect and Chief Maintenance Surveyor with the Ministry of Works in the 1950s
His address was given as 48 Woodside Crescent, Wembley, London in the 1939 England Wales Register and his occupation is given as Registered Architect, however, he is not listed in the RIBA Kalendar for that year. He died in Sandbanks Poole, Dorset on 28 September 1973.