Bullard, Samuel

Samuel was born at Therfield, Hertfordshire on 28 May 1858, the fourth son of James and Hannah (nee Nunn) Bullard.

Samuel, ‘an old militiaman’ had previously served for three years with the Suffolk Regiment, 4^th Battalion (presumably the Territorial Force) and enlisted on 1 November 1914 at the age of 60 with the Hertfordshire Regiment, Territorial Force. He was billeted at home and was discharged on 24 March 1916 due to chronic rheumatism.

Samuel was awarded the Silver War Badge.

He is commemorated on the St Mary’s Church Ashwell Roll of Honour.

Before enlisting he ws a farm labourer.

Samuel married Ruth Blanche Hayden on 17 November 1887. They had seven sons and two daughters.

The 1939 census shows them living in Ashwell, with Samuel a retired farm labourer.

Samuel died at Ashwell in 1943 and is buried in St Mary’s Churchyard, Ashwell, Hertfordshire.

Six of their sons served in WWI, all survived and returned home although Albert and Eli had been Prisoners of War in Germany since May 1914. Their eldest son, Frederick, was unfit for service.