Harold Joyce Bull
Harold Joyce Bull
Harold joined the 9th Battalion of the Australian Infantry on the 3rd February 1915 having passed a medical examination at Gladstone Australian. He was 19 years and 9 months 5foot 7.3/4 inches tall, a dark complexion, blue eyes and dark hair. Harold had a letter signed by his Uncle S.J.Bull of Wimsley Farm, Littlemore, Boyne Valley, which stated as his Uncle and Guardian he gave his permission for Harold to join up underage. He joined his unit in Gallipoli on 22nd June 1915. He was then transferred from Mudros on the island of Limnos, Greece, (near Gallipoli) where there were Australian and Canadian hospitals to Alexander and on to Marseilles on 3rd April 1916. He was promoted to Lance-Corporal on 30th August 1916. He was then awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When acting as medical orderly he, on his own initiative, moved forward during the action to the front line. He carried medical stores through heavy artillery fire, where he attended wounded in the open trench under severe conditions.”This was in the London Gazette 14th August 1917 and the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 20th December1917. Harold was given leave to UK from Belgium from 13th October to 25th October 1917. He was then promoted to Lance-Sergeant on 6th November 1917. Harold was killed on 25th August 1918 in France. The report states that “was killed in R.A.P. on 25.8.1918 by fragments from dump close by, which had been exploded by enemy shelling. Was killed almost instantaneously. Nature of wounds- Multiple shell wounds including penetrating chest and head wound.” He was buried at Morcourt Cemetery by Chaplain Major. Smith McBain. He was then re-buried in Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres after the war had ended. Harold is also commemorated on Folkestone War Memorial and the headstone of Charles and Ruth Bull, Cheriton Road Cemetery, Folkestone.
Harold Joyce Bull was born (June) 1895 in Folkestone to Eleanor and Thomas Bull, a boot maker. He was the second of six sons. He was educated at St. Mary’s School Folkestone and was a member of 2nd Folkestone Troop of Boy Scouts. In c1911 he emigrated to Australia with his older brother Thomas Henry (see previous entry).
