No.44873, Private, Basil BULLETT
Aged 18
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Basil Rowland Bullett was born in Bradfield St George (2nd qtr 1899 Thingoe 4a:860), son of Susan BULLETT. There seems to have been a divorce since
she married Spencer FIRMAN in 1902 when James BULLETT (apparently married Susan OSBORNE in 1884) seemed to be still alive (death not identified).
1901 census...Aged 2, he was at Mill Road, Bradfield St.George with his uncle Edward OSBORNE [40] single, farm labourer born Gedding; his mother Susan BULLETT [34] born Bradfield (recorded as married); brothers Joseph BULLETT[13] (mother née OSBORNE) born Hessett and Thomas BULLETT [8] born Bradfield. 1911 census...Aged 12, he was at 25 Rushbrooke with his step-father Spencer FIRMAN [34] farm bailiff born Shelland, Suffolk; his mother; half brothers Osborne FIRMAN [8] born Hales, Norfolk and Alan FIRMAN [4] born Abington (Cambs); half sister Dorothy FIRMAN [6] born Badingham. On the pension card his mother Mrs S FIRMAN, was at Poplar Meadow, Rushbrooke
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He enlisted on 1st October 1915 at Stratford Signals Depot. He attested for a Driver in the Royal Engineers, No. 73616 giving his age as 19 years
6 months (some way short of the the truth). A farm labourer from Green Farm, Rushbrooke. He was 5 feet 7 inches tall, chest 32 to 35 inches.
Next of kin, his mother Susan Fairman of Rushbrooke. He was discharged on 17th January 1916 "having made a mis-statement as to age on enlistment." His mother had sent in his birth certificate to tell the Army he was too young to serve. Sadly his service records for when he eventually joined up no longer exist, but he enlisted again, in Bury St.Edmunds. With no service record found, it cannot be stated where he was or when he was wounded.
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