Name
Octavius Thomas Bull (DCM)
8 Jun 1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/10/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
9115
Northamptonshire Regiment
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
WHEATHAMPSTEAD (ST. HELEN) CHURCHYARD
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Wheathampstead Village Memorial, War Memorial, Newport Pagnell
Pre War
Octavius Thomas was born in Hanslope, Bucks on 8 Jun 1891 to Joseph Bull, an agricultural labourer, and Sarah Ann (nee Stones). On the 1891 Census his parents were living at Gold Street, Hanslope with Charlotte (or Lottie born 1883), Emily Maud (born 1887), Walter George (born 1886), and Albert J (born 1890) and Joseph’s brother Daniel was boarding with them. On the 1901 Census the family of parents, with Charlotte, George (a farm labourer), Emily Maud, Frederick, (Octavius) Thomas, Alfred Andrew (born 1894). Charles Daniel (born 1896), Walter James (born 1898 and Rosie (born 1900) were living at Pineham Farm, Haversham, Wolverton, Bucks.
Thomas enlisted as Private 9115 in Northamptonshire Regiment some time in 1910 and was posted to 2nd Battalion. On the 1911 Census Thomas is recorded as Private with Northants Regiment in Davenport. His parents were living at Pineham Farm, Haversham, Wolverton, Bucks with William, Albert, Alfred, Charles and Emily Maud (Tysoe) with her daughter Doris (born 1910).
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of the Great War Thomas was serving in Egypt and returned to UK in Oct 1914 with his battalion, They were re-equipped and went to France as part of 24 Brigade 8 Division on 5 Nov 1914. Thomas took part in the Battles of Neuve Chappele (10 – 13 Mar 1915) and Aubers Ridge (9 May 1915) where on that day took part in an action which earned him the DCM. In 1916 his division took part in the Battles of the Somme. He was wounded (gas) and was transferred as Private 240009 to 433rd Agricultural Company, Labour Corps on his recovery. Thomas married Kate E Driver in 1917, they would have a son John Thomas born 23 Oct 1918.
He died of pneumonia at Horton War Hospital, Epsom, Surrey on 23 Oct 1918 and was buried in St Helen’s Church yard, Wheathampstead on 26 Oct 1918.
The Citation for Distinguished Conduct Medal: For conspicuous gallantry and determination on 9th May 1915 near Rouge Bancs Private Bull was one of a party of five who established themselves, with an Officer, on the German parapet, and he was the only bomb thrower there. He, several times, while under heavy fire, stood up and stepped to a flank to throw bombs with greater effect. When the Germans threw fuse bombs, he seized them and threw (them) back before they had time to explode. He was the only survivor of the five men. (The officer who also returned and proposed Thomas for a Victoria Cross.).
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £18 and arrears of £8 2s 5d and further arrears of £20 from his Service with Agricultural Company Labour Corps. Brothers: Frederick John served with 2nd Northants as Lance Corporal 8538, killed in action during the advance 8 Oct 1918. Albert Joseph served as Private 10092 Northants Regiment going to France on 20 Sep 1914, wounded at the Aisne, he was medically discharged in 1916. Alfred Andrew served with Bedfordshire Regiment as Sgt 9/45505 was wounded at Festubert and later transferred to Royal Engineers being discharged in March 1919. Charles Daniel served with 5th Ox & Bucks Light Infantry as Private 16603 and was killed in action 25 Sep 1915 and is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial Ypres. Walter James served in in Northants Regiment from 10 Aug 1914 until medically discharged on 10 Sep 1918 following leg wounds.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
