Lance Corporal Richard Eric Bullows (1893-1916)

Service No: 3009 – 1^st/8^th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Lance Corporal Richard Eric Bullows was born in 1893 in Castle Bromwich and baptised on the 3^rd April of that year. He was the only son amongst the five children of parents William, a carpenter, and Sarah Pearson, who lived in a cottage at Little Heath, Castle Bromwich from at least 1891 until at least 1911. At 18 Richard was living in the family home whilst working for Wynn, Timmins & Co Ltd at Century Works, Commercial Street, Birmingham as a tool maker.

He joined the army at the outbreak of war with his medal index card showing that he first entered the Theatre of War on 22^nd March 1915 when he travelled by train to Southampton and embarked for Le Havre. He was initially set to work digging trenches but was engaged in various battles on the western front during 1916 including the battles of Albert, Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres Ridge.

He died in action on 11th November 1916 serving with the 1st/8th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He is buried in Martinpuich Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, and commemorated on the Castle Bromwich War Memorial and on a plaque in St Mary and St Margaret Church. There is also a dedication to him on the family grave in the graveyard opposite the church.

“Also of their dearly loved son Richard Eric (Dick) of the 8^th Bttn. Royal Warwickshire Reg’t, who was killed in action in France November 11^th 1916 aged 22 years.”