Thanks to Simon Jervis for this research. Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for further research.
Henry Edward Thomas Bullen was born on 16th October 1884 in Eastry, Kent to boatman Thomas James and Mary Ann (nee Spinner). He was baptised on 26th November 1884 at St Saviour, Walmer.
Henry’s father Thomas was born about 1849 to waterman William, born about 1827 in Walmer, Kent and Mary Ann, born about 1828 in Deal, Kent. He was baptised on 4th November 1849 in Walmer. His mother Mary Ann was born about 1848 in Deal to labourer George, born about 1821 in Walter, Kent and Lucy Elizabeth, born about 1823 in Northbourne, Kent. She was baptised on 23rd April 1848 in Kent.Thomas married Mary Ann on 26nd December 1872 at St Leonard’s, Deal.
Henry Edward Thomas had nine siblings: Alice Emma born in the 2nd quarter of 1874; Jessie Louisa born in the 1st quarter of 1876; Thomas George born in the 2nd quarter of 1878; Rosa Ellen born in the 2nd quarter of 1880; Emily Mary born in the 3rd quarter of 1882; Walter Alfred Thomas born in the 2nd quarter of 1887; the twins Ethel Elizabeth and Frederick Herbert born in the 4th quarter of 1889 and Arthur Lewis born in the 1st quarter of 1895, all born in Walmer.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at 1 Sandon Place, Walmer. Thomas was working as a mariner and Mary was at home looking after their children Alice, Jessie, Thomas and Rosa
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family were still at 1 Sandon Place. The household was occupied by Mary Ann and her children, Alice, Jessie, Thomas, Rosa, Emily, Henry, Walter and Frederick.
Henry enlisted on 28th September 1905 in Canterbury, Kent into the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards. He was a Private with regimental number was 12378. At the time of his enlistment he was working as a grocer’s assistant.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Henry was a Private of the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards stationed in London.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Pte Bullen’s family lived at 57 York Street, Walmer. Thomas was working as a boatman and Mary Ann was at home. The household further comprised of their son general labourer Frederick. Mary Ann stated that she had given birth to ten children of whom eight were still alive. The accommodation had four rooms.
PAYING FOR IGNORANCE – Frederick William Meadows, of Tweed Lane, Brockham, was summoned for driving a horse and a waggon on the highway without a rear red light at 7.15 on the night of Feb 2nd – P.C. Bullen said he stopped defendant in High Street. He had a carriage lamp at the rear of the cart, but it was not showing a red light. Defendant told that he had just borrowed the lamp in Dene Street, and that he had others at home properly fitted, but came away without one – Defendant produced the carriage lamp. The Clerk : Yes : it’s a very nice lamp, but it does not show a red light. Defendant : I was quite ignorant of the order. The Clerk pointed out that it had been in operation nearly twelve months. Fined 5s. including costs.
Henry Bullen 28th February 1914 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
Bullen, until he was called up with the Reserves was a member of the Surrey Constabulary. He was stationed at Dorking for some time and was then transferred to Effingham where he was at the time he was recalled to the Colours. He was of a nice, genial disposition, and popular with his colleagues in the Dorking Division.
A POLICEMAN’S DEATH
The announcement has been received of the death at the Front of Pte. Henry Bullen, 2nd Company, 1st Grenadiers. Bullen, until he was called up with the Reserves, was a member of the Surrey Constabulary; he was stationed at Dorking for some time, and was then trransferred to Effingham, where he was at the time he was recalled to the Colours. He was of a nice, genial disposition, and popular with his colleagues in the Dorking Division, who have heard of his death with sincere sorrow. Bullen was a native of Deal, and was unmarried. There are now three other men of the Dorking Police Division at the front, viz : P.C’s Cooke, Childs, and Garwood.
Henry Bullen Death Notice 28th November 1914 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
Henry re-joined the force after the war broke out and disembarked on 6th October 1914 to France.
SOLDIER POLICEMAN.
LETTERS FROM DORKING MEN
Supt. Coleman of Dorking has received interesting letters from ex-Dorking policemen who are with the forces in France. Pte. Garwood, of the 1st Bedford Regt. says “How thankful I was to receive your letter, which I have read and re-read constantly until I know it by hear. I cannot but appreciate your kindness and sympathy as regards the strain we have to bear… For this is a hell on earth, and I do not expect it has ever been witnessed before. I regret to hear the sad news of poor Bullen, but he has done his duty. I have not come across any of our other men yet, but I hope to do so sooner rather than later. I shall also be pleased to run across your son, as it is a pleasure to see people you know. I haven’t even seen my own brother yet. I must draw this to a close, trusting you will remember me to the officers and men of the division, whom I hope to be with soon if I have the luck.”
Lce-Corpl. Cooke, a Dorking constable attached to the Royal Army Medical Corps., writes “Many thank for your ever welcome letter, which I received quite safe. I was glad to hear you are quite well, as I am thankful to say it leaves me the same at present. I was also glad to hear that Childs and Garwood were both well when you last heard of them. I had a paper last week, so I saw in that about Bullen being dead. I was very sorry indeed, because as you know we were very, very big chums…
We never know when it may come our turn, especially out here; it’s nothing but risk all the time. We shall be glad when it is all over and get back to our old jobs again. I am glad to hear your son is getting on so well. You will see by address I also have made Lance- Corporal, but we don’t take a lot of notice of that on active service. All pull the same way. Of course it’s more pay for us; that’s the best part about it., and have it all to draw when we get back, if it’s our luck to do so, which I trust it will be. We are having very unsettled weather just now, raining every day. Please remember me to the inspector and sergeant and all others I know.”
Correspondence between Dorking Policemen
19th December 1914 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
Henry was killed in an action between 26th October and 11th November 1914 in Belgium. The Battalion War Diary reads “26th October 1914: Some 60 shells per minute were noted as landing on small sections of the battalion’s line. Many men were buried alive and had to be dug out from under as much as three feet of earth. Many were suffocated. Lieutenant Van Neck killed. The remnants of the battalion were later ordered to retire to billets on the outskirts of Ypres.”
His body was identified by a disc and re-burried at the Zantvoorde British Cemetery, Belgium. His grave reference number is: VI.C.8. The headstone bears the inscription: Thy Will Be Done.
He received the British War and Victory medals and the 1914 Star.
Henry’s Soldier’s Effects were allocated as follows Henry’ father Thomas received £3, 8s and 3d and a further £2, 19s and 9d in December 1914. His mother Mary Ann and her sons received 8s and 7d and his sisters received 8s and 6d on 26th February 1915. His brother Frederick received 8s and 6d on 10th July 1915. Mother Mary Ann received £5 on 31st of May 1919.
| Born | Walmer, Kent | |
| Son of | Thomas and Mary Bullen | |
| Regiment | 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards | |
| Number | 12378 | |
| Date of Death | 26th October 1914 | |
| Place of Death | Flanders, Belgium | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in action | |
| Age | 30 | |
| Memorial | Zantvoorde British Cemetery, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
