Lieutenant
Ernest Gilbert BULLARD
Infantry
Died: 1st August 1915 - Age: 31

Commemorated:

1. Grave:Merville Communal CemeteryV. A. 25.
2. Book:The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918Pg.118
3. Memorial:The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour58B GQS
    

Awards & Titles:

 

Family :

Son of Ellen C. Bullard, of Albermarle Club, 37, Dover St., London, W.I.

His father, Richard, had died on 1st August 1914 - according to the memorial gravestone of his brother Archie in Buxton Cemetery.

The featured colourised image is sourced from Facebook (WW1 Family Inscriptions Gropu) as a commemoration to the soldier. The image appears appears to be that of a Lieutenant, but uncertainty as the image shows "red tab" gorgettes on the featured mans collar and the pips on his jacket sleeves may be a crown surmounting a diamond.

Education & Career :

Educated at St Paul's.

Joined the Levant Consular Service.

Service Life:

Campaigns:

Unit / Ship / Est.: Indian Army Postal Service 

Mike: THE INDIAN FIELD POST OFFICE DURING THE GREAT WAR IN 1914, when war broke out, a large postal con- tingent accompanied the troops sent to France. It was under the control of Mr. Pilkington, Assistant Director-General of the Post Office, who had the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and it comprised one Base Office and 22 field offices, with a staff of 13 supervising officers, 22 field postmasters, 84 clerks and 78 menials. During the early years of the war the work performed by this staff was very heavy. Frequently over 23,000 letters and 2000 parcels would arrive for the Indian contingent in one day, while newspapers published in England were regularly received for delivery to the troops. At the end of 1916 the Indian field postal staff in France was considerably reduced, as large numbers accompanied the Indian troops transferred to Egypt and Mesopotamia, and at the end of the war only one or two field offices remained to serve some Labour Corps units which had been left behind.

Action : France & Flanders 

France & Flanders covers all the dates and corresponding locations which are outside the official battle nomenclature dates on the Western Front. Therefore the actions in which these men died could be considered 'normal' trench duty - the daily attrition losses which were an everyday fact of duty on the Western Front.

He had served with the Indian Army until the 24th June 1911. He was recalled in September 1914 and on the 3rd November appointed to the Postal Service.

He is mentioned extensively and extracts from his diary included in: THE Post Office of India IN THE Great War Edited by Lieut-Col. H. A. SAMS, CLE., I.G.S., Late Director of Postal Services, Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force.

https://archive.org/stream/cu31924012679548/cu31924012679548_djvu.txt

Detail :

He was killed by shell-fire at Merville, France.

Lt.-Col. Merewether and the Rt. Hon. Sir F. E. Smith (now Lord Birkenhead) thus mention Lt. Bullard in their book " The Indian Corps in France " —

" Lieutenant E. G. Bullard, of the Indian Postal Service, was proceeding on duty in a car near Croix Barbee. when a German shell exploded practically in the motor, killing him and the chauffeur instantaneous"

This young officer had, by his kindly disposition and zeal in the performance of his important duties, endeared himself to his comrades in the Corps, and his loss was keenly felt.

The occurrence was particularly unfortunate, as he was to have proceeded on leave the next day, while the chauffeur was only taking the duty of another man.''

Masonic :

TypeLodge Name and No.Province/District :
Mother : Holland No. 3554 E.C.Bombay

Initiated
Passed
Raised
7th October 1912
2nd December 1912
2nd June 1913
 

Shown as Post Office Superintendent. (Called back into Indian Army Postal Service). Information in year columns "Died 11-08-1015" Actual event 1-8-1915.

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

Additional Source:

Last Updated: 2021-08-01 10:30:11