No.S/29458, Sergeant, Joseph BULLEN
Aged 19
His rank is given as Corporal on CWGC and "Soldiers Died"
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Joseph Bullen was born on February 9th 1898 in Dullingham Ley, (Newmarket Q1-1898 3B:517) baptised on 13th March 1898 in Dullingham, son of Henry and
Alice BULLEN (née BUSHNELL).
1901 census...Aged 3, he was in Dullingham Ley with his father Henry BULLEN [35] labourer, born Dullingham, his mother Alice [29] born in Westminster, London and sister Priscilla [3 months] born Dullingham 1911 census...Aged 13, he was at Dullingham Ley with his parents; sister Priscilla and Bertha (Elizabeth) [7], brother William Percy [3] and an un-named brother [under 1 month]. The new children were all born in Dullingham Ley. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket. The rank difference noted may be due to CWGC using substantive ranks, not acting ranks. Thanks the 1914-198.invisionzone.com forum on all things military WW1 there is a wealth of information about the activities that day:- In summary, when the 14th Division commenced an assault towards Inverness Copse and Glencorse Wood in 22nd August, the 7th Battalion, Rifle Brigade were still in camp at Dickebusch. They were once more moved at very short notice to Chateau Segard, and not being required, bivouacked there for the night. During the 23rd the 7th Rifle Brigade had remained at Chateau Segard but eventually, after various orders and counter-orders, moved back to Dickebusch during the night. Following much hectic fighting, the situation was such that a tank supported attack was deemed necessary on the 27th,on the German trench connecting Inverness Copse with Glencorse Wood and 7th Rifle Brigade were to be part of the supporting infantry. In the event, the tanks could not get through the mud, but the infantry were ordered to carry on with the same plan with a surprise attack, but minus the tanks. Unfortunately it became too light and the element of surprise was lost. The assault came to nothing and despite proposals that 41st Brigade should remain for a further 3 days, General Skinner's opposition to this prevailed and the 8th Rifle Brigade were relieved by 5.15. am on the 28th. The 7th however came under attack at 8pm on 27th on their left flank. They were involved in some hard hand to hand fighting until the Germans retired. By 8 am on the 28th, the 7th Rifle Brigade were relieved and back in Dickebusch. The cost to the three Battalions of the Rifle Brigade was, 7th Battalion, 6 officers and 131 other ranks; 8th Battalion, 3 officers and 112 other ranks and in the 9th Battalion, 3 officers, and 272 other ranks casualties. All this for what was termed a "small operation". Only 3 of the 16 of the 7th Rifle Brigade killed on 27th August have identified graves, the rest are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial. |
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details