William Harold Cullen
Educated Nottingham High School.
In 1911 he was employed as a lace warehouseman.
He was a keen rower and a member of the Nottingham Rowing Club.
He was also Rugby and hockey player.
He was connected with Castle Gate Congregational Church, Nottingham.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Son of Elizabeth Cullen, of 13, Noel St., Nottingham, and the late Alfred Cullen (CWGC). Alfred was a hosiery manufacturer (A Cullen & Co, Wildman Street, Nottingham).
In 1901 Alfred and Elizabeth were living at 15 Burns Street in the parish of All Saints.
They had five children; Edith Annie (20), Alfred Edgar (17, probably employed in his father's business), John Wilkinson (12), William Harold (11) and Frank Briggs (8).
In 1911 the family lived at 83 Forest Road, although Alfred and John may have left home as they are not listed at that address.
The family later moved to 'The Chestnuts', 478 Woodborough Road, Nottingham, and then to 13 Noel Street, Nottingham. His three brothers, Alfred, John and Frank, also served.
He joined the Nottinghamshire Royal Horse Artillery as a gunner in September 1914.
He was commissioned in the Sherwood Foresters in March 1915.
He wentto the Wesstern Front in May 1915.
Transferred to the Machine Gun Corps in November 1915.
He was killed at Mametz Wood and is commemorated on the Anglo French Memorial,Thiepval, Somme, France.
Panel Reference : Pier and Face : 5C and 12C.
Probate: CULLEN William Harold of 478 Woodborough Road, Nottingham, second lieutenant in HM Army, died 11 July 1916 in France. Probate Nottingham 13 December to Elizabeth Cullen (wife of Alfred Cullen). Effects £1013 2s 9d.Included on Castle Gate Congregational Church ROH printed January 1917: 2nd Lieut Cullen WH, MGC (Nottinghamshire Archives ref DD2325/10)Nottingham Rowing Club archive (Nottinghamshire Archives ref DD 865/671/1-59) has a letter from the Club to Mrs Cullen (mother); NRC was compiling details of members who had served/died and although the club had a photograph of WHC they were writing to his mother to ask for additional particulars about him.
The Inscription on the Cullen Family Memorial in Nottingham General Cemetery reads : "In ever loving Memory of Lieut. William Harold Cullen. Notts. R.H.A., 14th Sherwood Foresters and 113th Machine Gun Corps., Killed In Action at Mametz Wood, France on the 11th July 1916, aged 23.
"Faithful unto death"
Also of Alfred Cullen, Father of the above who died September 22nd 1924 in his 74th year.
"Peace perfect Peace".
Also commemorated on the Family Memorial is his Brother : Alfred Edgar Cullen who died in Perth, Australia on the 24th December 1948, aged 65, Ann Wilkinson who died on the 23rd June 1886, aged aged 74 and her Husband, John Cullen who died on the 4th June 1898, aged 89, presumeably these two were William Harold Cullen's Aunt and Uncle and presumably where John Wilkinson Cullen got his middle name from.
Photo of William Henry Cullen
Photograph of the Cullen Family Memorial on which Second Lieutenant, William Harold Cullen is Commemorated in Nottingham General Cemetery by Gary Crosby on the 21st August 2022.