Thomas Cullen

Private Thomas Cullen, Authors image

S/18635 Private

‘C’ Company, 5th Battalion Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, 26th Infantry Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division

Age: 20 Date of Death: 7.12.15

Buried: Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm) I.C.32

Family history: Son of Patrick and Catherine Cullen, Inver Cottage, Baker Street, Newtown, Bo’ness. He had three sisters, Mary, Catherine, and Roseanne. He was unmarried. Prior to enlisting he was employed as a Labourer at the Bo’ness Distillery of James Calder and Co. Ltd.

He enlisted on 5 June 1915, in the 5th Battalion Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, and landed in France on 1 October 1915.

The action leading to his death

The Battalion was in the line at The Bluff with Battalion HQ located at Bedford House and forward HQ at Blauwepoort Farm. This was an area were the British had artillery gun pits. The Bluff was also an area were mining and trench raids, and sniping was a common hazard.

Trench map showing the location of the The Bluff

The War Diary records that it was a quiet day and the Battalion casualties were one wounded, one killed (Thomas) and one sent to hospital sick.

War Diary

His personal effects were returned to his family.

The form shows signs of fire damage. In September 1940, the records, stored at Arnside Street in London, were damaged during a German raid. Many being destroyed in the fire. Those saved were mostly charred or water damaged and are known as the 'Burnt Documents'

Medals 1915 Star, The British War Medal, Victory Medal

Private Thomas Cullen, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, Medal Index Card