Bullard, Albert Edward

Albert was the sixth son of Samuel and Ruth (nee Hayden) Bullard, born on 13 May 1895 at Thriplow. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell, Hertfordshire.

Albert enlisted with the Suffolk Regiment, Regimental Number 8627, in January 1913. He was stationed in Curragh, Ireland when the War broke out. In August 1914 the 2^nd Battalion was mobilised for war and landed at Havre. They engaged in action at the Battle of Mons and subsequent retreat, and the Battle of Le Cateau where the Battalion suffered heavy casualties and there is now a monument to the 2^nd Suffolk Regiment. This is where Albert was captured on 25 May 1914 by the Germans and was sent to Doeberitz as a prisoner of war. He remained at the Doebritz camp until his release in 1918. On his release he received a letter from King George V celebrating his release. Albert survived the War.

Albert was awarded the 1914 Star with clasp and roses, the Victory Medal, the British War Medal.

He is commemorated on the St Mary’s Church Ashwell Roll of Honour and on the family gravestone in the Ashwell cemetery.

Before enlisting was a farm labourer.

Albert married Hilda Ellen Wilkins at St Margaret’s Church, Bygrave, Hertfordshire in August 1921. They had two daughters, Hilary Alberta Mary born 1921 and Vera Betty Ruth born 1927. The 1939 census shows Hilda living in Baldock with the children.

Albert died at Stepney, London in June 1935.

Albert’s brothers Arthur, Alfred, Leonard and David served in the War and survived. His brother Eli was also captured by the Germans at Cateau in May 1914 and spent the War in Doebritz Prisoner of War Camp. His brother Frederick, an agricultural labourer, was unfit for war and remained on the farm. His father, Samuel, served with the Hertfordshire Territorial Force and was billeted at home. All are commemorated in the Ashwell cemetery.

Royston Crow 23 October 1918 Private Albert Bullard (Suffolk Regiment), the sixth son (bottom left-hand corner), was stationed in Ireland when war broke out. He was sent out to France and taken prisoner at the Battle of Mons four years ago, and is still in Germany.