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SKELTON - IN - CLEVELAND
IN HISTORY
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"WE WILL REMEMBER THEM"
27/828 Private JAMES WILLIAM BULMER.
27th (Tyneside Irish) Bn, Northumberland Fusiliers
Died, age 38, on the 7th October 1916.
Born at Skelton Shaft Cottages.
Son of Annie Bulmer, of 52 Back Lane, Skelton-in-Cleveland, Yorks and the late Joseph Bulmer.
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"THERE IS A LINK DEATH CANNOT SEVER, LOVE AND REMEMBRANCE LAST FOREVER"
Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres.
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FAMILY:-
1901. James, aged 22, was living at 52 Back Lane, Skelton and was working in the Ironstone Mines as a Blacksmith, above ground.
His father, Joseph, aged 51, was also a Blacksmith in the mines. He had been born in Loftus, N Yorks.
His mother, Ann, had been born in Ormesby, N Yorks.
He had four younger brothers Charles 21, who was a footman, Joseph 16, an assistant Blacksmith, John 14, an assistant Saddler and Francis 9.
His sister Charlotte was 12.
1911 Census. The family are still at 52 Back Lane. James, now 32, is still a Blacksmith at the Ironstone Mines.
His mother, Annie, age 60 is now a Widow.
She has had 11 children, born alive and 9 are still living.
Joseph is working as a Joiner at the Mines and John as a Fitter. They have a 37 year old Miner as a Boarder
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WAR SITUATION.
James' Battalion was part of the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division, which first went to France in January 1916.
It then took part in the following stages of the Battle of the Somme:-
The Battle of Albert including the capture of Scots and Sausage Redoubts, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, The Battle of Pozieres Ridge and The Battle of Flers-Courcelette.
By October 1916 it must have been sent North to the Armentieres sector.
There was no major offensive there at this time and James was killed in the day to day defence of the trenches to the East of Armentieres.
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MEMORIAL:-
Cite Bonjean cemetery is to the West of Armentieres on the road out to Estaires. Over 2000 Commonwealth men and over 500 Germans are buried here.
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