Private W Bull - Taunton

'Send for the Orderly Officer'
by
J . C. Kenworthy

This part of my "Somerset Connection" series deals with the service of 2615 Colour-Sergeant William, inevitably named "John Bull" by his army colleagues, serving with him in the 1/13th. and 2/13th. Regiments, Prince Albert's Light Infantry, (latterly, The Somerset Light Infantry), between 1878 and 1904.
What is there remarkable about a career of twenty-six years in the Army, you may well ask? The records show that, he drew his army pension for fifty years and was frequently heard to remark, he was the "Government's worst bet." It is also a fact that, when he died in 1954, he was the last of the regiment's veterans to have fought in the Zulu War of 1879. Quite an - achievement for an old soldier, who served throughout the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 and later in India and Burma, during the Burma Campaigns of 1885 to 1887, and, 1887 to 1889, when disease was a greater cause of death, rather than by assegai or bullet. This latter fact prompts me to enquire whether Colour-Sergeant Bull was also the longest surviving veteran of all the Imperial forces, who were engaged in the Zulu War of 1879. Any claims?
I am, as always, indebted to the Curator and the Staff of the Somerset Military Museum, in Taunton, for their kind help and support during my research and, for granting me permission to reproduce the group photograph, including the former Colour-Sergeant William Bull.
William Bull was born at Marston Magna, near Yeovil, in Somerset, circa 1859. Other than the fact, he had two brothers, named John and George, nothing is known of his family or early days in South Somerset.
Prior to joining the Army, William Bull served with the 1st Somerset Militia and, in fact, enlisted in the Regular Army, during annual camp, at Leigh Camp, Pitminster, near Taunton, at the age of 18 years, on 6 June, 1878. He was attested to the Service on 8 June, 1878. By 14 June, 1878 he had joined the 36th Brigade Depot, at Fort Hubberstone, Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire, where he was given the Brigade number 36/1482 and commenced his training.
On 2 December, 1878, he was posted to the lst/13th. Regiment and departed England to join his Regiment, on active service in South Africa. He would have joined his new regiment about the time of, or shortly after the commencement of hostilities with the Zulus, and the British defeat at Isandlwana, on 22nd January, 1879.
Private Bull probably joined-up with the 1/13th. Regiment at Khambula Hill, where it formed part of No.4 Column, under the command of Brevet .Colonel Evelyn Wood, V.C.; 90th Regiment of Foot.
Private William Bull fought with the 1/13th. Regiment at the Battle of Khambula, on 29th March, 1879, when the Zulus were decisively defeated. One wonders what were the thoughts of an impressionable twenty year old young soldier, who, having left his home in rural England, travelled thousands of miles to a strange and exotic land to fight for a cause he hardly understood?
Following the British success at Khambula, preparations were advanced for the relief of No.1 Column at Eshowe and the second invasion of Zululand. By early July, 1879, the British were encamped on the White Mfolozi River, ready to strike at the Zulus massed at Ulundi. Private Bull had remained with the 1/13th. Regiment, as part of the Flying Column with Lord Chelmsford's Prince Albert's Somersetshire Light Infantry and set sail for Burma, where he was to join his new Regiment in Rangoon, in March 1884.
Private Bull arrived in Burma well in time to be engaged in the Burma War of 1885 to 1887, for which he was to receive the Indian General Service Medal, with the Clasp 'Burma, 1885- 87'. On 26th May, 1886, he was appointed a Lance-Corporal.
The majority of the 2nd. Battalion returned to India, in April, 1887, leaving behind Lieutenant W.C. Cox and 108 other-ranks, including, Lance- Corporal William Bull, to serve as Mounted Infantry with the Burmese Field Force. This detachment spent one year in Burma before returning to the Regiment, in India, 1888. This small formation, including William Bull, was awarded the 'Burma. 1887-89' Clasp to add to their Indian General Service Medals. .
Lance-Corporal Bull returned to England on 4th November, 1891, having served nearly eight years with the 2nd Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, in India and Burma. He was to remain on Home posting, until his discharge in 1904.
Unfortunately, his Soldier's Documents, in particular, his Statement of Services, have been very poorly maintained, and there is little or no indication of his service, nor, any record of advancement in rank during this period. However, there is no doubt this included a major turning point in his army career.
Whilst in India, he successfully completed an Assistant Instructor's Signalling course, at Banglore, on 28th November, 1884, and gained a 3rd. Class Education Certificate in 1885, which he was to improve to 2nd. Class Certificate, in 1888. On 15th May, 1895, he obtained an Instructor's Certificate, at the School of Musketery, at Hythe, in Kent and was to enhance this qualification, by attending a Small Arms course in Birmingham, in January, 1898. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, after completing 18 years unblemished service, in 1897.
By this time, he had achieved the rank of colour-Sergeant, Instructor of Musketery and was engaged on the permanent staff of the 3rd. Battalion Somerset Light Infantry, with anew Regimental number of 2615.
William Bull married Bessie Selina Ware of Rowbarton, a suburb of Taunton, on 19th April, 1897 and was to produce four daughters -Olive Mary, born 22nd April, 1898; Selina, date of birth, not known; Beatrice, date of birth, not known; and, Catherine, born 11th November, 1912.
Colour-Sergeant Bull was discharged to pension after completing 26 years and 5 months exemplary service with the Regiment, on 18th November, 1904, at the age of 44 years. His rate of pension was 2s.5d. per day, (about 12 pence), Chelsea Out-Pension record No.5373OC refers. Following his discharge from the Service, the former Colour-Sergeant William Bull, took up residence, together with his family, at the Denmark Inn, Cheddon Road, Taunton, where he had been appointed the Licensee. During World War One, he was the Landlord at the Penmill Hotel and the Great Western Hotel, both in Yeovil, Somerset. After the War, he returned to Taunton, where he was appointed the Landlord of the Crown and Sceptre Hotel, near to the Cattle Market and at the junction of Station Road and Priory Bridge Road. This Hotel became known and still is known by its older regulars, as "John Bull's .II
He was a well known figure in Taunton and easily recognised by his soldierly bearing. He was a most ardent supporter of the Regimental Old Comrades Association and during his fifty years of life, on pension, regularly visited Jellalabad Barracks, in Mount Street, Taunton and rarely missed a Reunion Parade or a Regimental Association function. Highlights of his activities must have been a Zulu War dinner and social evening held at the George Hotel, Taunton, in 1927, when a special table, presided over by Lieutenant-Colonel J.M.E. Waddy, was laid out for the Zulu War veterans. A luncheon to mark the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Khambula, given by Lieutenant-Colonel H.W. Lovatt, at the Castle Hotel, Taunton, on 12th August, 1929; and a Parade and Inspection at Jellalabad Barracks, on 12th May, 1932, during which, H.R.H. The Duke of York, K.G. and Colonel-in- Chief of the Regiment, inspected a parade of 328 Old Comrades, including twelve veterans from the Zulu War of 1879. His last parade took place in Taunton on 16th April, 1949, when it was recorded, he was over ninety years of age. It was on this occasion that, his photograph was taken at Jellalabad Barracks, together with the Colonel of the Regiment, Lieutenant-General Sir John Swayne, K.C.B., C.B.E.; Lieutenant-General Sir John Harding, K.C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C.; Major- General Sir Henry Everett, K.C.M.G., C.B.; and Major-General V.H.B. Majendie, C.B., D.S.O. He made regular visits to the Barracks and his last recorded visit, at the age of ninety-two, was in July 1951, when he turned up to pay his annual subscription for the Regimental Magazine, The Light Bob Gazette !
William Bull's other interests included the local branch of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, and cricket. He frequently attended matches played at the County ground.
Following his retirement from the Hotel trade, William Bull resided in Northfield Avenue, Tangier, Taunton and invested in some property nearby. His neighbours recall his soldierly bearing and his smart appearance. He was always well attired in a neat suit, with polished boots, brushed bowler- hat and carried a cane, particularly, when out collecting rent from his investments. His family knew him as a strict disciplinarian and devout Christian, being a regular worshipper at St. James's Church. He claimed that, as a young boy he had sung in the choir, at Wells Catherdral. At home, he was noted for outbursts of loud singing, often to the consternation of his family! Similarly, he was a inveterate storyteller and especially liked to recount his days in the Army and his escapades fighting the Zulus in South Africa and the Dacoits in Burma. Family, were inclined to treat his tales with disdain, as they had heard it all before, on numerous occasion!
Unfortunately, the whereabouts of his medals have not been established. They are not in the Military Museum collection, nor are they with any members of the family residing in Taunton. There is a possibility, they are with a daughter named Selina or as she was known in family circles, "Lina." Selina married a soldier and it is believed they lived in Bournemouth, but all contact has been lost and their whereabouts are not known.
William Bull died at the home of his daughter, Olive Mary Liscombe, at No.6 Plais Street, Rowbarton, Taunton, on 7th April, 1954. Cause of death was given as, "Senile Decay" and his age at death, as ninety-five. It is stated that, his last words were:-
"Send for the Orderly Officer."
He was interred with his wife, who died in 1935, in grave No.544 at St. Mary's Cemetery, Wellington Road, Taunton, on 9th April, 1954. At his funeral, the family, the Regiment and the Regimental Association were widely represented.
So passed a veteran soldier, who, as a very young man fought against the Zulus in 1879 and the Dacoits in Burma, during the 1880's. After an Army career extending over twenty-six years, he retired to enjoy a pension for nearly fifty years, before passing away in his ninety-sixth year.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Mr. James Liscombe of Taunton.
Mrs. Margaret Laver of Taunton.
The Curator of the Somerset Military Museum, Taunton.
Mr. Peter Birch, Crowcombe, Somerset.
SOURCES
1/13th. Regiment Digest of Service, 1842 - 1914.
History of the Somerset Light Infantry, Sir Henry Everett, K.C.M.G., C.B. London 1934
Brief History of 13th. Light Infantry {P.A.L.I.), during the Transvaal and Zulu Difficulties in South Africa in 1877-8-9, Edward D McToy, Devonport, 1880
The Somerset County Gazette.
The Light Bob Gazette.
1/13th. Regiment -Recipients of the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, who fought in the Basuto and Zulu Wars of 1877 to 1879, Compiled by J.R.Lees 1/13th. Regiment Medal Roll, P.R.O. W.O.IOO/46 Part 3.
2nd Battalion Somerset Light Infantry Medal Rolls, Indian General Service Medal, 18S4 to 189S; clasps 'Burma, 188S-7' and 'Burma, 1887-9'
Soldier's Documents -William Bull, P.R.O. W.O.97/4449
Muster Rolls, 1/13th. Regiment and Somerset Light Infantry, P.R.O. W.O.16/1454, 1455, 2794 and 2795.
Chelsea Out-Pension Records P.R.O. W.O.117/58.
Compiled by J.C. Kenworthy,
Combe St. Nicholas, Somerset,
January, 1993.