tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8379962256741902605.post4261545504574342885..comments2024-03-29T00:43:01.355-07:00Comments on Military History: Lance Bombardier John Bullen - a tale of extraordinary gallantry in the Battle for StanleyPhilip Cracknellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03742419743648086989noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8379962256741902605.post-6866956825559241222021-07-16T01:03:35.925-07:002021-07-16T01:03:35.925-07:00Thanks Megalodon - you make a good point that I wa...Thanks Megalodon - you make a good point that I was unaware of i.e. for a posthumous gallantry award it could inly be VC or MiD. <br />Philip Cracknellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03742419743648086989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8379962256741902605.post-74547212083406888812021-07-15T17:30:23.043-07:002021-07-15T17:30:23.043-07:00A fascinating account - many thanks Phil. The late...A fascinating account - many thanks Phil. The late Phillip Bruce has an interesting account of Red Bullen in his published “Military History Notes,” written in the 1980’s.<br /><br />Just a small point on nicknames; I always refer to Major Forsyth by his nickname - “Rusty.” Presumably he had red (or similar) hair! I think it very appropriate that Forsyth is buried alongside his CSM, Swan, in Stanley Military Cemetery, as they were killed fighting together.<br /><br />Finally, it is an extraordinary coincidence that Forsyth, like Bullen, was also posthumously recommended for the VC for his gallantry at Stanley. That recommendation was turned down and like Bullen, he received a Mention in Despatches.<br />One has to remember, however, that at time the VC and a MiD were the ONLY gallantry awards that could be awarded posthumously. If your VC recommendation was rejected, that only left an MiD. Such is not the case today.Megalodonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17410634803458807415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8379962256741902605.post-2041507882561424032021-05-22T22:14:25.256-07:002021-05-22T22:14:25.256-07:00Hi Lewis: Sorry for late response . The source doc...Hi Lewis: Sorry for late response . The source documents in a file at National Archives (Kew) did not detail the whereabouts of the house. I assumed somewhere near the junction of Stanley Village Road and Island Road. The docments suggest Island Road. So somewhere probably close to the roundabout (and maybe close to present day American Club). It was described as one and a Hal miles away). Capturing the gun - re-hooking it and bringing it back under fire seems almost too heroic - I do wonder whether there was some embellishment - but I also realise many acts of valour go unreported. Sandy Forsyth was recommended for a VC for his actions at Stanley Village but ended up only getting an MiD. Likewise Bullen was given a posthumous MiD in Sept 1954. There were comments that it was difficult to verify the exact details of Bullen's gallantry because of passage of time. PhilipPhilip Cracknellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03742419743648086989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8379962256741902605.post-77316135366125015782021-05-19T00:49:16.889-07:002021-05-19T00:49:16.889-07:00Hi Philip
Just asking, what is the name of the h...Hi Philip<br /><br /><br />Just asking, what is the name of the house where John Bullen recaptured the anti tank gun. Another question I have for you is was there any people who were left behind during the withdrawal on the 19th of December? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8379962256741902605.post-31432398514686307202018-12-13T16:49:54.246-08:002018-12-13T16:49:54.246-08:00Christine: Thanks for your message. IUt's alwa...Christine: Thanks for your message. IUt's always good to hear from a family member. I first learnt about John Bullen when I found a file in the National Archives at Kew. If you have not been there it may be worth a tripm to look at the file they have. I live at Stanley quite close to the old police station where he fought so courageously. If you find out anything more - I would appreciate hearing from you. My email address is Philip.G.Cracknell@gmail.comPhilip Cracknellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03742419743648086989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8379962256741902605.post-84838860729270265332018-12-13T16:33:51.520-08:002018-12-13T16:33:51.520-08:00My name is Chistine Bullen and my father,Arthur Bu...My name is Chistine Bullen and my father,Arthur Bullen, was John Bullens younger brother and tried so hard to get John the VC. My brother and I were very thrilled to see this posting as we were looking into this ourselves as we knew John Bullen was a hero. It would be nice to get in touch with you if we can find out any more. Thank you for your posting.Christine Ellisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8379962256741902605.post-35520243388434955972017-12-12T01:32:05.449-08:002017-12-12T01:32:05.449-08:00Clive: So pleased to hear from the grandson of Pte...Clive: So pleased to hear from the grandson of Pte George Cottrell. He was certainly in the thick of action during the Battle for Stanley Village. It was one of the fiercest battles - much of it close quarter. As far as I know George Cottrell was incarcerated at Sham Shui Po POW Camp rather than Stanley Civilian Internment Camp where most of the Prison Officers/Stanley Platoon were incarcerated. Sham Shui Po POW Camp was extremely arduous - lack of food and medicine, brutality of guards and rampant diseases like Diptheria. Staying alive was a hard task itself. He came through a lot ! Thanks for your post. Philip CracknellPhilip Cracknellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03742419743648086989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8379962256741902605.post-59647570244202630732017-12-11T23:58:49.082-08:002017-12-11T23:58:49.082-08:00A wonderfull story about my grandfather George Cot...A wonderfull story about my grandfather George Cottrell’s participation about the war effort. He never spoke about it and we were unaware of it until you wrote about it. Clive CottrellAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01167581983448888803noreply@blogger.com