Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Richard Coverley Bullimore a labourer, born 1857 in Exton, Rutland and his wife Isabella Bullimore (nee Gunby, married in the 4th quarter of 1876 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1861 in Scalford, Leicestershire. Richard was born in the 3rd quarter of 1883 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Walter, born 1889, George, born 1892 and Annie, born 1894, all his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, in March 1901 the family home was at 17, Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray, Richard was not residing with the family at this time. Richard had older siblings, John Thomas, born 1878 and Mary Elizabeth, born 1881, both these siblings were born in Melton Mowbray. On the 3rd October 1908, in the Parish Church, Long Eaton, Derbyshire, Richard married Emma Spray, the Reverend G. W. Ready officiating with William and Ada Spray as witnesses. After the war his widow resided at 19, Friar Street, Long Eaton, Derbyshire. His younger brother Walter fell in action in October 1916.
Richard attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement of 7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve on the 15th February 1901 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Melton Mowbray, Leicester, Leicestershire, his age as 18 years and 7 months and his trade or calling as shoe hand. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father Richard Bullimore and his mother Isabella Bullimore, both of 9, Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray Leicestershire, his older brother John Thomas Bullimore, younger brothers Walter Bullimore and George Bullimore, and sisters Mary Elizabeth Bullimore and Annie Bullimore as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7½ inches in height, weighed 130 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35½ inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was dark brown and he had grey eyes. It was noted that he had a mole on the right side of his belly. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 15th February 1901 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Northumberland Fusiliers in Newcastle as a Private, service number 7869 on the 18/2/01. Posted to the 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers on the 6/3/01. Granted Good Conduct Pay at 1d on the 15/2/03. Permitted to extend his service to complete 8 years with the Colours on the 1/4/04. Elected to come under the conditions of Army Order 66 of 1902 to receive service pay and granted Service Pay at 4d on the 1/4/04. Granted Service Pay 1st Class at 6d on the 1/9/05. Granted 2nd Good Conduct Badge on the 15/2/06. Granted Service Pay at rate of 7d on the 15/2/06. Posted to the Depot on the 13/11/06. Transferred to 1st Class Army Reserve Section “B” on the 26/1/07. Discharged from Section “B” of the Army Reserve on the termination of his first period of engagement on the 14/2/13. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 15/2/01 – 25/1/07, 5 years 345 days. Reserve, 26/1/07 – 14/2/13, 6 years 20 days. Total service 12 years. His character on discharge was recorded as, very good, thoroughly sober, reliable, his address on discharge was, Police Station, Little Eaton, Nr. Derby.
Richard attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War.) on the 21st May 1915 in Derby. He gave his present address as 19, Friar Street, Long Eaton, his age as 32 years and 10 months and his trade or calling as police constable. He confirmed that he was married. He stated that he had previously served with the Northumberland Fusiliers and was time expired. He gave his wife Emma Bullimore of 19, Friar Street, Long Eaton, Derbyshire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 9 inches in height, weighed 163 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 35 and 37 inches. Hi physical development was described as good. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Nottinghamshire & Derby Regiment in Derby as a Private, service number 26733 on the 1/6/15. Posted to the 16th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derby Regiment (Chatsworth Rifles) at Buxton on the 1/6/15. Appointed Acting Corporal on the 7/6/15. Posted to -?- on the 9/6/15. Appointed Acting Sergeant on the 3/7/15. Posted to Dursley Park on the 2/9/15. Posted to Aldershot on the 30/9/15. Posted to Witley Camp on the 5/11/15. Embarked from Southampton to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 6/3/16. Confirmed in the rank of Sergeant on the 7/3/16. Promoted provisionally Company Sergeant Major vice C.S.M. Williamson, in the field on the 15/3/16. Confirmed in the rank of Company Sergeant Major (W.O. Class II), in the field on the 1/5/16. Admitted to the 133rd Field Ambulance, suffering from influenza, in the field on the 5/8/16. Transferred to the 11th C.R.S. on the 11/8/16. Admitted to the 133rd Field Ambulance suffering from P.U.O. in the field on the 3/11/16. Returned to duty on the 10/11/16. Granted leave from the 18/1/17 to 28/1/17. Killed in action, in the field on the 26/4/18. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 1/6/15 – 5/3/16, 278 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 6/3/16 – 26/4/18, 2 years 52 days. Total service, 2 years 330 days. Richard was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, British War and Victory medals. A letter addressed to Richard’s widow Emma, residing at 41, Rosebery Avenue, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, and dated the 29th August 1918 accompanied the following items of Richard’s personal property, belt, metal watch and chain, two fountain pens, metal mirror, two letter cases, letters, cards, photo’s, D.C.M. ribbon and paper cutting. Richard’s widow was awarded a weekly pension of eighteen shillings and nine pence to commence on the 18th November 1918. Richard’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
On Friday July 9th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – WESLEYAN ROLL OF HONOUR. The Wesleyan Roll of Honour was read at last Sunday’s service in the Wesleyan Church, Melton Mowbray, the following additions having been made during the past month:- Elliott Brook, Arthur Newton, Wilfred Smith, and Richard Bullimore.
On Friday November 3rd 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – PTE. WALTER BULLIMORE. – Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bullimore, 41, Rosebery-avenue, Melton Mowbray, received a letter on Wednesday morning from a soldier in the King’s Liverpool Regiment, informing them that their son, Pte. Walter Bullimore, was killed in action on the 19th inst. Deceased was a platelayer on the Midland railway. Another brother, George, of the Garrison Artillery, who has been invalided home, visited his parents this week after spending six months in Chelsea Hospital, and returned yesterday afternoon to the headquarters of his regiment to undertake light duty. Two other brothers are at the front, John Thomas serving with the Garrison Artillery, and Richard with the Sherwood Foresters. Three of the deceased’s cousins have recently been killed.
On Friday January 18th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” –MELTONIAN WINS D.C.M. – At a concert held on Tuesday night in the People’s Hall, Long Eaton, Company Sergeant Major R. Bullimore, Sherwood Foresters, was presented by Captain S. Cursley with the D.C.M. On August 16th Sergt. Major Bullimore, with his company, had just taken over an advanced position south east of Ypres, but before having consolidated the Germans advanced in great force. Sergt. Major Bullimore assisted his O.C. to rally the men, who opened a rapid fire which practically demolished the attackers. The remainder fled, and Sergt. Major Bullimore and a Corporal at once jumped to the parapet and successfully sniped the retreating Germans. Mr. Tucker, chairman of the Long Eaton Council, presented the hero with a gold watch – the town’s appreciation. Sergt. Major Bullimore is a son of Mr. R. Bullimore, Rosebery Avenue, Melton Mowbray, and lived in the town until reaching the age of about 18. Before donning khaki he was a respected member of the Long Eaton Police.
The Citation that appeared in the London Gazette dated the 26th January 1918 reads:- For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an enemy attack on our trenches he organised and helped to man a rifle post in full view of the enemy and under hostile rifle and machine gun fire, thereby preventing a number of the enemy, who were sheltering in shell holes and hedges, from regaining their trenches. He killed five of the enemy himself, and by his initiative and determination brought about the capture of fourteen prisoners.
The War Diary records: 26 Apr-18 – VOORMEZEELE. (The No. 3 Composite Battalion) Orders were received to withdraw the 16th Battalion SHERWOOD FORESTERS Company, and send them the General Headquarters L-?- VOORMEZEELE where they came under orders of the No. 1 Composite Battalion. Casualties:- 5 other ranks “killed.” 5 other ranks “wounded.” 21 other ranks “missing.”
On Friday May 17th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL SERGT.-MAJOR REPORTED KILLED. – Unofficial news has reached Mr. and Mrs. R. Bullimore, 41, Rosebery-avenue, Melton Mowbray, that their son, Company Sergt. Major Herbert Bullimore, Sherwood Foresters, was killed in action on April 27th. His wife resides at Long Eaton, and it appears that P.C. Walker of that town, has received a letter from his brother, Sergt. Walker, also of the Sherwood Foresters, asking hime to break the news to his widow. Deceased who was 37 years of age, was in the Derbyshire police force eight years, having been stationed at Buxton for five years prior to being transferred to Long Eaton. From there he enlisted in Sept., 1914, and received rapid promotion. Last year he was awarded the D.C.M., the presentation being made to him in January. Another son of Mr. and Mrs. Bullimore was killed in October, 1916, and another son, Gunner George Bullimore, Royal Garrison Artillery, has been sent out to Egypt after recovering from gas poisoning. Their eldest son, Gunner John Thomas Bullimore, is also in the Royal Garrison Artillery, but owing to indifferent health he has been sent to do farm work at Pickwell. The following appeared in the “Long Eaton Advertiser,” of January 18th concerning the presentation of the D.C.M., to Sergt. Major Bullimore: It was most fitting that the presentation of the D.C.M., bravely won by Coy. Sergt. Major Bullimore, should be presented to him at the evening concert held in aid of the Long Eaton Red Cross Hospital on Tuesday. The People’s Hall was crowded and as this hero stepped on to the platform he was greeted with loud and long applause. Accompanying him were Capt. S. Cursley, Councillor W. R. Tucker, J.P., Inspector Spencer and Mr. W. A. Wallis. Capt. Cursley said that the act of bravery which won the distinguished honour for Coy. Sergt. Major Bullimore occurred on August 16th last. He, with his company, had just taken over an advanced position, but before they had consolidated the Germans attacked in great force. S/M. Bullimore assisted his O/C. to rally the men, who opened a rapid fire which practically demolished the opposing forces. Those of the enemy who remained turned and fled. S/M Bullimore and a corporal immediately sprang up to the parapet, and, calling for volunteers successfully sniped the Germans as they retired. Continuing, Capt. Cursley said the town was proud of him, along with all the brave Long Eaton lads, who had gone forth to do what they could to help their country in the hour of need. He hoped, and the town hoped, that he would live to do greater deeds and, further, that he would be spared to come back safely to his wife and wear the medal for many years. While Capt. Cursley pinned the medal on the breast of S/M Bullimore, there was thunderous applause, and among the most eager to cheer were many Long Eaton boys who themselves had braved the dangers of the battlefield, along with the wounded from the hospital. Councillor Tucker in a few well-chosen words, congratulated S/M Bullimore, and on behalf of the town, as a merit of their appreciation, presented him with a handsome gold watch, and wished him God-speed. S/M Bullimore, who was much overcome by the warm appreciation shown to him, said: “I do thank you for the grand reception and the present Mr. Tucker has handed to me, but I would like to tell you how the boys out there appreciate the parcels you send to them each year.” (Applause). The Deputy Chief Constable and Superintendent Richardson had sent apologies for their non-attendance owing to pressure of duty. S/M Bullimore, whose home is in Friar Street, Long Eaton, was a popular member of the Long Eaton police staff, and at the outbreak of war, along with many other Long Eaton policemen, joined the Sherwood Foresters in September, 1914.