Saturday 11 July 2015

Bullock, Gabriel - Gunner (85432)

Gunner Gabriel Bullock
255th Siege Bty.
Royal Garrison Artillery,
Killed in Action 15th September 1918,
Age 29,
Buried Tincourt New British Cemetery.

Newspaper Report:

Official information is to hand that Gunner Gabriel Bullock, R.G.A., who would have been 30 on Friday of last week, was killed in action on September 15th.  Youngest son of the late Luke James Bullock for many years hairdresser at Blackburn Road, but afterwards landlord of the Swan Hotel, deceased was a member of a well known and much respected Haslingden family.  The only remaining son is Mr. J.W. Bullock, hairdresser, Blackburn Road, but there is also a sister.
A single man, deceased resided with his mother at the Swan and assisted in the business until he joined up two years ago last May.
He went to France 12 months ago last January.  He is on the roll of honour of the Haslingden Swedenborgian Church, where a memorial service will be held on Sunday afternoon.  The circle of his friends was a very large one.  He was a freemason, a member of the R.A.O.B., a member of Haslingden Conservative Club, and a member of Haslingden Working Men's Club.
An all round sportsman he was, a clover billiard player, once winning the cup in the Conservative Club billiard competition, and a notable bowler.
Second Lieutenent S. Tudor Hanks, 255 Siege Battery, R.G.A., B.E.F., writing to Mrs. Bullock, on September 16th, says:- " Dear madam, - I regret that I have to write to younews which I feel will be heartbreaking to you.  Your son, Gunner Bullock, fell in action yesterday.  He had mounted his motor cycle to take a despatch when a splinter from a shell struck him in the chest.  Some little consolation for you may be gathered from the fact that he was in no way disfigured and that his death was instantaneous.
"He was buried this afternoon at Trucourt Military Cemetery, near Peronne, and his grave is marked with a cross - "Sacred to the memory of Gunner Bullock, S. Battery.  Killed in action. September 15th 1918."  My brother officers and all his comrades join me in saying how sorry we are at his loss, and all feel they have lost a fine and brave comrade."

Newpaper Memorials:

In loving memory of our dear nephew, Gunner Gabriel Bullock.

"No loved ones stood around him,
To bid a last farewell;
Although his grave we cannot see,
He like a soldier fell.

He is gone, but not forgotten,
Often do we call his name,
But there's nothing left to answer,
But his picture in the frame."

From his sorrowing aunt, uncle and family. Mrs. Ellis, 6 Bright Street, Oswaldtwistle.

"Softly at night, the stars are gleaming,
On a still and silent grave,
There lies sleeping, without dreaming,
The one I loved, but could not save.

"Ever remembered." Ada, Hargreaves Street.

"Dear son of my bosom, one sad year has passed by,
But no flowers can I place on the grave where you lie,
Though the still, dark waters keep you and I apart,
Your sweet, smiling face lies dear to my heart.

What would I give to clasp your hand,
Your dear, sweet face to see,
Your loving smile and welcome voice,
Which were so much to me.

Could I have spoken the last kind word,
Or seen you laid to rest,
The grief would not have been so hard,
For your dear mother who loved you best."
"Remembrance sweet, sad to recall."

From his sorrowing mother, Swan Hotel.

Not now, but in the coming years,-
It may be in the better land,
We'll read the meaning of our tears,
And there, sometime, we'll understand.

We'll know why clouds instead of sun,
Were over many a cherished plan,
Why song has ceased, when scarce begun,
'Tis there, sometime, we'll understand.

Why what we long for most of all,
Eludes so oft' our eager hand,
Why hopes are crushed, and castles fall,
Up there, sometime, we'll understand."

Brother and sister, 166 Blackburn Road, Haslingden.

"Somewhere abroad he lies at rest,
Far from his home and those he loved best;
With only a little wooden cross,
With just his name and number;
May angels guard that sacred spot -
Where our dear brother lies in slumber."

Ever remembered by his loving sister and brother, 22 Laburnum Street.

"We mourn for him in silence,
And not with outward show;
For those who mourn sincerely,
Mourn silently and low."

56 Hud Rake, Haslingden.

"When days are dark and friends are few,
Dear Gabriel we think of you;
Leaves may wither, and fall from the tree,
If others forget you, never shall we."

From his pals, Bob, Arthur and Tom.

"Days of sadness still come o'er us,
Tears in silence often flow,
Thinking of the day we lost you,
Just twelve months ago.
Time changes many things,
But love and memory ever clings."

From his sorrowing friends, Polly and Peter, Blackburn Road, Haslingden. 

Gunner Gabriel Bullock Census details - Click over census to enlarge