Selected Biographies

Bulmer, Alfred – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 15.4.1860.[1] Parents: James Bulmer (Bricklayer) and Elizabeth [née Branwhite] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Father to Alfred Bulmer [b1887], William Frederick James Bulmer [b1888], Charles Bulmer [b1892]; also, uncle of Herbert Edwin Bulmer [b1882], Henry James Bulmer [b1884], Arthur John Bulmer [b1884], Frederick Charles Bulmer [b1887], Thomas Clifford H. Bulmer [b1890], George Edgar Bulmer [b1901] and Arthur James Bulmer [b1906].  Home: High Street, Long Melford (1861), Hall Street, Long Melford (1871), on board the troopship HMS Jumna bound for India (1881), Liston Lane, Long Melford (1891), St Marys Street, Long Melford (1901 to 1921).  Occupation: Soldier (1881), Bricklayer’s Labourer (1891), Drug Grinder at the Stafford Allen Works (1901), Labourer (1911).  Married: Eleanor ‘Ellen’ Ringer in 1885.  Service Record: Alfred enlisted in 1877 as Pte.7634a with 63^rd [West Suffolk] Regiment of Foot, transferring in 1879 as Pte.1926 to 96^th Regiment of Foot, part of 16^th Infantry Brigade.  His service record shows that he was wounded and distinguished himself by his actions.  The regiment was stationed in India and took an active role in the Second Anglo-Afghan War; however, this had ended before Bulmer’s arrival at Umballa [now Ambala] in the Punjab in 1881.  In 1881 the 63^rd and 96^th Regiments were amalgamated forming the Manchester Regiment.  Alfred returned to England and was placed on the Army Reserve, receiving his discharge in 1891.[2]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1933.

Bulmer, Alfred – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 9.6.1887.[3]  Parents: Alfred Bulmer (Drug Grinder) [see record above] and Eleanor ‘Ellen’ [née Ringer] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to William Frederick James Bulmer [b1888] and Charles Bulmer [b1892]; also, cousin of Herbert Edwin Bulmer [b1882], Henry James Bulmer [b1884], Arthur John Bulmer [b1884], Frederick Charles Bulmer [b1887], Thomas Clifford H. Bulmer [b1890], George Edgar Bulmer [b1901] and Arthur James Bulmer [b1906].  Home: Liston Lane, Long Melford (1891), St Marys Street, Long Melford (1901), 112-118 Gower Street, London (1911), 48 St Catherines Road, Long Melford (1939) to [1957].  Occupation: Seed Drier in Chemical Works (1901), Delivery Porter for Messrs Shortbread & Co. (1911), Sheet Metal Worker and Motor Radiator Repairer (1939).  Married: Flora ‘Florrie’ Theobald [d1920] in 1912 and Jessie Elizabeth Goody in 1925.  Service Record: No definitive military record found.  Died: Long Melford, Suffolk on 29.5.1957.[4]

Bulmer, Arthur James – Born: Paddington, London on 14.8.1906.[5]  Parents: Edgar Bulmer of Long Melford (Painter) and Harriett Ann [née Diamond].  Family Connections: Brother to George Edgar Bulmer [b1901] and nephew of Alfred Bulmer of Long Melford [b1860]; also, cousin of Herbert Edwin Bulmer [b1882], Henry James Bulmer [b1884], Alfred Bulmer [b1887], William Frederick James Bulmer [b1888], Charles Bulmer [b1892], Arthur John Bulmer [b1884], Frederick Charles Bulmer [b1887] and Thomas Clifford H. Bulmer [b1890].  Home: Kilburn Park Road, Paddington, London (1911 to 1939).  Occupation: Boot and Shoe Repairer (1939).  Married: Dorothy Rose Wilkinson in 1926.  Service Record: Arthur was a member of the Auxiliary Fire Service during the Second World War.[6] Died: Brent, London in 1975.

Bulmer, Arthur John – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 23.1.1884.[7]  Parents: Joshua Bulmer (Coconut Mat Maker) and Martha [née Ambrose] (Confectioner and Newsagent).  Family Connections: Brother to Frederick Charles Bulmer [b1887] and Thomas Clifford H. Bulmer [b1890]; also, nephew of Alfred Bulmer [b1860], and cousin of Herbert Edwin Bulmer [b1882], Henry James Bulmer [b1884], Alfred Bulmer [b1887], William Frederick James Bulmer [b1888], Charles Bulmer [b1892], George Edgar Bulmer [b1901] and Arthur James Bulmer [b1906].  Home: St Marys Street, Long Melford (1891), HMS Ganges Training Ship, Harwich, Essex (1901), HMS Boadicea, Harwich Harbour, Essex (1911), 5 St Stephens Street, Edinburgh [1921].  Occupation: Sailor (1901 and 1911), Merchant Seaman [1918 to 1921].  Service Record: Arthur enlisted in 1902 for a period of 12 years as Stoker N^o. 211921 in the Royal Navy, serving on the scout cruisers HMS Boadicea and HMS Foresight from 1910 to 1912 and the depot ship HMS Alecto in 1913.[8]  In 1918 he joined the Merchant Navy as a Fireman/Stoker.  Died: Arthur died at sea of heart failure while serving on the SS Baron Berwick on 9.9.1921.[9]

Bulmer, Charles – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 2.4.1892.[10]  Parents: Alfred Bulmer (Drug Grinder) [see record above] and Eleanor ‘Ellen’ [née Ringer] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Alfred Bulmer [b1887] and William Frederick James Bulmer [b1888]; also, cousin of Herbert Edwin Bulmer [b1882], Henry James Bulmer [b1884], Arthur John Bulmer [b1884], Frederick Charles Bulmer [b1887], Thomas Clifford H. Bulmer [b1890], George Edgar Bulmer [b1901] and Arthur James Bulmer [b1906].  Home: Liston Lane, Long Melford [1896], St Marys Street, Long Melford (1901), Military Barracks, Colchester, Essex (1911), 50 Frith Road, Leytonstone, London [1919], 3 Newmans Road, Sudbury, Suffolk (1939) to [1961].  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer [1910], Soldier (1911), Park Attendant (1939).  Married: Maud Griggs in 1915.  Service Record: Before 1910 Charles served with 3^rd [Militia] Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.  He enlisted in June 1910 as Pte.9370 with 2^nd Battalion, Prince of Wales’s Own [West Yorkshire] Regiment, being posted to Malta from 1912 to 25.9.1914.  He was promoted to Lance Corporal and on 5.11.1914 was posted to France as part of 23^rd Brigade, 8^th Division.  He received a bullet wound to his left arm on 3.12.1914, whilst in the front line near Neuve Chapelle, taken initially to N^o. 7 Casualty Clearing Station at Merville where his arm was amputated, returning to England three weeks later for further treatment.  He was issued with a Silver War Badge and discharged on 28.2.1915 due to wounds.[11]  Died: Sudbury, Suffolk on 18.12.1961.[12]

Bulmer, Frederick Charles – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 13.3.1887.[13]  Parents: Joshua Bulmer (Coconut Mat Maker) and Martha [née Ambrose] (Confectioner and Newsagent).  Family Connections: Brother to Arthur John Bulmer [b1884] and Thomas Clifford H. Bulmer [b1890]; also, nephew of Alfred Bulmer [b1860], and cousin of Herbert Edwin Bulmer [b1882], Henry James Bulmer [b1884], Alfred Bulmer [b1887], William Frederick James Bulmer [b1888], Charles Bulmer [b1892], George Edgar Bulmer [b1901] and Arthur James Bulmer [b1906].  Home: St Marys Street, Long Melford (1891 and 1901), 128 Old Heath Road, Colchester, Essex (1911), St Marys, Long Melford (1921 to 1939), 2 Nell Gwynn Cottages, St Catherines Road, Long Melford [1951].  Occupation: Tram Conductor (1911), Waiter [1915], Unemployed Waiter (1921), Newsagent (1939).  Married: Alice Osborne Hatch in 1904 [d1932] and May Hurst in 1942.  Service Record: Frederick enlisted on 4.12.1915 as Able Seaman N^o. Z/4670 with 4^th [Collingwood] Battalion as part of 63^rd [Royal Naval] Division.  In June 1916 he was transferred to the Stoker Unit until his discharge in March 1919.[14]  Died: Long Melford, Suffolk in 1951.

Bulmer, George Edgar – Born: Willesden, Middlesex on 8.3.1901.[15]  Parents: Edgar Bulmer of Long Melford (Painter) and Harriett Ann [née Diamond].  Family Connections: Brother to Arthur James Bulmer [b1906] and nephew of Alfred Bulmer of Long Melford [b1860]; also, cousin of Herbert Edwin Bulmer [b1882], Henry James Bulmer [b1884], Alfred Bulmer [b1887], William Frederick James Bulmer [b1888], Charles Bulmer [b1892], Arthur John Bulmer [b1884], Frederick Charles Bulmer [b1887] and Thomas Clifford H. Bulmer [b1890].  Home: 45 Glengall Road, Willesden, Middlesex (1901), 115 Kilburn Park Road, Paddington, London (1911 to 1939), 25 Linden Avenue, Kensal Rise, Willesden [1968].  Occupation: Store Hand, later Charge Hand at Smith and Sons, Aircraft Instrument Makers (1921 to 1939).  Married: Lucy Maria Bowsher in 1927.  Service Record: George acted as an Air Raid Precaution Ward during the Second World War.[16] Died: Willesden, London on 16.12.1968.[17]

Bulmer, Harry James – Born: Lincoln, Lincolnshire in 1884.  Parents: Arthur Bulmer of Long Melford (Brewer’s Agent) and Mary [née Williams].  Family Connections: Brother to Herbert Edwin Bulmer [b1882]; also, nephew of Alfred Bulmer [b1860], and cousin of Alfred Bulmer [b1887], William Frederick James Bulmer [b1888], Charles Bulmer [b1892], Arthur John Bulmer [b1884], Frederick Charles Bulmer [b1887], Thomas Clifford H. Bulmer [b1890], George Edgar Bulmer [b1901] and Arthur James Bulmer [b1906].  Home: 16 Waterside North, Lincoln, Lincs (1891), 33 Monks Road, Lincoln (1901), 112 Scorer Street, Lincoln (1911), 1 Shakespeare Terrace, Shakespeare Street, Lincoln [1947].  Occupation: Tinplate Worker (1901), Tinsmith (1911).  Service Record: No definitive military record found.  Died: Lincoln, Lincs on 11.5.1947.

Bulmer, Herbert Edwin – Born: Lincoln, Lincolnshire in 1882.  Parents: Arthur Bulmer of Long Melford (Brewer’s Agent) and Mary [née Williams].  Family Connections: Brother to Henry James Bulmer [b1884]; also, nephew of Alfred Bulmer [b1860], and cousin of Alfred Bulmer [b1887], William Frederick James Bulmer [b1888], Charles Bulmer [b1892], Arthur John Bulmer [b1884], Frederick Charles Bulmer [b1887], Thomas Clifford H. Bulmer [b1890], George Edgar Bulmer [b1901] and Arthur James Bulmer [b1906].  Home: 16 Waterside North, Lincoln, Lincs (1891), Thoresway, Lincs (1901).  Occupation: Groom (1901), Labourer [1901].  Service Record: Herbert enlisted in 1901 as Pte.5099 with 3^rd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, purchasing his discharge in 1903.  It is not known if he served during the First World War.[18]

Bulmer, Newby George – Born: Lavenham, Suffolk on 25.2.1877.[19]  Parents: William Bulmer Bird of Long Melford (Hairdresser) and Mary Ann [née Day].  Home: Church Street, Lavenham, Suffolk (1881 to 1901), 17 Market Place, Lavenham (1911 to 1939).  Occupation: Hairdresser (1901), House Decorator (1911), Plumber for C. & W. Burroughs, Plumbers and Decorators (1921), Decorator (1939).  Married: Ada Mary Pawsey in 1907.  Service Record: Although no definitive military record has found, his position as a Trustee of the Lavenham branch of the British Legion strongly suggests that he saw service in the Great War.[20]  During the Second World War Newby acted as a stretcher-bearer with the Air Raid Precaution Service.[21]  Died: Walnut Tree Hospital, Sudbury, Suffolk on 1.9.1954.[22]

Bulmer, Thomas Clifford H. – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 31.3.1890.[23]  Parents: Joshua Bulmer (Coconut Mat Maker) and Martha [née Ambrose] (Confectioner and Newsagent).  Family Connections: Brother to Arthur John Bulmer [b1884] and Frederick Charles Bulmer [b1887]; also, nephew of Alfred Bulmer [b1860], and cousin of Herbert Edwin Bulmer [b1882], Henry James Bulmer [b1884], Alfred Bulmer [b1887], William Frederick James Bulmer [b1888], Charles Bulmer [b1892], George Edgar Bulmer [b1901] and Arthur James Bulmer [b1906].  Home: St Marys Street, Long Melford (1901), 14/26 Carter Lane, City of London (1911), 38 Sale Street, Bethnal Green, London [1915], 9 Great Ormond Street, London (1921), 193 Maple Road, Penge, Kent [1939].  Occupation: Waiter for Dawsons and Leafs Ltd (1911), Stock Keeper for a Shoe and Leather Dealer [1915] to 1921), Newsagent and Tobacconist [1933 to 1939].  Married: Ellen Sceats in 1917.  Service Record: Thomas enlisted OS. Z/4669 with the Royal Navy on 4.12.1915, transferring to 6^th (Howe) Battalion, as part of 3^rd (Royal Marine) Brigade, 63^rd [Royal Naval] Division stationed in France. His unit saw action during the Battle of the Somme in November 1916 and the Arras Offensive in the following April.  In October 1917 he was treated in England for a leg ulcer, transferring to 1^st (Drake) Battalion on 22.4.1918 and returning to the Western Front as part of 63^rd Division’s, 2^nd Royal Naval Brigade.  On 30.5.1918 he received a bullet wound to his left arm, receiving treatment at 2^nd Stationary Hospital in Bristol.  The damage from his wound was too severe for him to return to the front line and he spent the rest of the War with 2^nd Reserve Battalion at the Naval Depot at Chatham, receiving his discharge in March 1919.[24]  Died: Penge, Kent on 24 3.1939.[25]

Bulmer, William ‘Bill’ Frederick James – Born: Long Melford, Suffolk on 16.6.1888.[26]  Parents: Alfred Bulmer (Drug Grinder) [see record above] and Eleanor ‘Ellen’ [née Ringer] (Horsehair Weaver).  Family Connections: Brother to Alfred Bulmer [b1887] and Charles Bulmer [b1892]; also, cousin of Herbert Edwin Bulmer [b1882], Henry James Bulmer [b1884], Arthur John Bulmer [b1884], Frederick Charles Bulmer [b1887], Thomas Clifford H. Bulmer [b1890], George Edgar Bulmer [b1901] and Arthur James Bulmer [b1906].  Home: Liston Lane, Long Melford (1891), St Marys Street, Long Melford (1901), Hall Street, Long Melford (1911 to 1939).  Occupation: Agricultural Labourer (1911), General Labourer (1939).  Married: Mary Rhoda Gooch in 1909.  Service Record: Bill joined the Local Defence Volunteers in Long Melford when it was formed in August 1942 as ‘H’ Company, 10th Battalion, Suffolk Home Guard.  His name is recorded in the official tribute to the organization entitled The Lion Roared his Defiance, photographed in and around Long Melford in 1944.[27]  Died: West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk on 21.4.1960.[28]

Related Biographies

Bird, Augustus ‘Leonard’ – Born: Lavenham, Suffolk on 2.9.1877.[29]  Parents: Leonard Bulmer Bird (Mat Maker) and Louisa [née Gosling].  Family Connections: Brother to George Charles Bird [b1879].  Home: 4 Walnut Tree Lane, Sudbury, Suffolk (1881), St Marys Street, Long Melford (1891), Purbeck Place, Littlehampton, Sussex (1911 to 1939).  Occupation: Saddler’s Apprentice (1891), Labourer (1911), Harness Maker for Harris & Son of Littlehampton (1921 to 1939).  Married: Sara Kate Elsden (Laundress) in 1910.  Service Record: Augustus served as Spr.139849 with the Royal Engineers during the First World War.[30]  Died: Worthing, Sussex in 1947.

Bird, George Charles – Born: Sudbury, Suffolk in 1879.  Parents: Leonard Bulmer Bird (Mat Maker) and Louisa [née Gosling].  Family Connections: Brother to Augustus Leonard Bird [b1877].  Home: 4 Walnut Tree Lane, Sudbury, Suffolk (1881), St Marys Street, Long Melford (1891), 14 Ellerslie Road, Clapham, London (1911), 5 Walpole Road, Colliers Wood, Mitcham, Surrey [1915] to (1921).  Occupation: Journeyman Baker (1911), Baker’s Carman [1915], Baker for Hill & Son of Westminster (1921).  Married: Ethel Josephine Bull in 1902.  Service Record: George was conscripted on 9.12.1915 as Pte.19425 with the Army Veterinary Corps, being posted to France on 15.8.1916 and receiving his discharge in March 1919.[31]  Died: Mid Surrey in 1938.

Notes – [1] Baptism Register of Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford.  [2] Chelsea Hospital British Army Service Record.  [3] 1939 Register.  [4] National Probate Calendar.  [5] 1939 Register.  [6] 1939 Register.  [7] Date of birth from RN Record.  [8] Royal Navy Registers of Seaman’s Services [ADM 188/370/211921].  [9] Board of Trade Register of Deceased Seaman [BT 334/195].  [10] Date of birth from Admission Register 12.5.1896, St Catherines Infants School, Long Melford.  The 1939 Register for Sudbury, Suffolk records his birth date as 24.3.1893.  [11] For details of 2^nd West Yorkshire’s movements see War Diary [WO 95/1714/1]; for a personal account see ‘Lance-Corporal Bulmer’s Experience’ in Suffolk and Essex Free Press 17.2.1915.  See also his Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363], Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War, Silver War Badge [WO 329] record [ref: 84589], Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329] and Service Medal and Award Rolls Index Cards 1914-1922 [WO 372].  [12] National Probate Calendar.  [13] Date of birth from the 1939 Register for Long Melford and his RN Record which records his birth date as 13.3.1888.  [14] RN Records [ADM 337/40/138], Royal Naval Division Service Records 1914-1920 [ADM 339/1/5072], and Medal and Award Rolls [ADM 171/125].  [15] 1939 Register.  [16] 1939 Register.  [17] National Probate Calendar.  [18] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363].  [19] 1939 Register.  [20] Suffolk and Essex Freed Press 7.3.1936.  [21] 1939 Register.  [22] National Probate Calendar.  [23] Date of birth taken his RN Record.  [24] His service in the First World war is remembered in his obituary in the Sydenham, Forest Hill & Penge Gazette 6.4.1939, see also his RN Record [TNA – ADM 337/40/137], Royal Naval Division Card [ADM 33/59] and RN Medal Roll [ADM 171/125].  [25] National Probate Calendar.  [26] 1939 Register.  [27] Published by Marten & Son, Ltd., of Market Hill, Sudbury, Suffolk in 1946.  [28] National Probate Calendar.  [29] 1939 Register.  [30] Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1918 [WO 329].  [31] Soldiers’ Documents, First World War ‘Burnt Documents’ [WO 363].