Private Walter Bullock, 4th North Staffs: Court of Enquiry?

[CliveMcDonald1]

I am currently following up on the death of Private Walter Bullock, 4852, 4^th North Staffordshire Regiment. He was injured in an accident (see below) on 16^th December 1917 and died the next day.

The REPORT ON ACCIDENTAL OR SELF INFLICTED INJURIES describes the event as follows.

One of a party of troops proceeding form REIGERSBURG to ESSEX  FARM by lorry which collided with an engine at a level crossing at RAILWAY COTTAGE. (about 500yards from Essex Farm on the Brielen road)

But this entry is then crossed out.

Another description, albeit circumstantial, suggests that “A court of enquiry will presumably be assembled” (See attached)

It turns out that Bullock had in fact been seconded to 35 Division to act as “railway picquet”

So we have the curious circumstance of a “railway piquet” being fatally injured in an accident at an un-manned railway crossing…..

I’d like to discover more. Bullock’s service record survived in part though much of it has been accidentally filed under another member of the regiment (which I only stumbled upon by accident). There is no further reference to a Court of Enquiry but maybe all that has been mis-allocated also.

Neither the 4^th North Staffs diary nor the 35 Division HQ diary refer to this incident.

Questions:

1)     As a “railway picquet” seconded to 35 Division, is there a WO95 diary that covers divisional transport matters that may also include associated court of enquiry details?

2)     Equally, is there a separate place where Court of Enquiry proceeding might be archived?

3)     Any other hints!

Thanks in advance for any assistance

 

Clive McDonald

[Matlock1418]

38 minutes ago, CliveMcDonald1 said:

Private Walter Bullock, 4852, 4^th North Staffordshire Regiment. He was injured in an accident (see below) on 16^th December 1917 and died the next day.

Coincidence or ???

CWGC entry https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/437059/w-bullock W. BULLOCK, 48519, 4th North Staffs, 17.12.17,

There are pension cards for a Walter BULLOCK, 48519, 4th North Staffs, 17.12.17, Wounds rec'd in action

Image courtesy of WFA/Fold3

Widow: Ada Bullock, of 10, Lucas Square, New George St., Hull.

 ???

M

Edited 21 June , 2022 by Matlock1418
typo

[CliveMcDonald1]

No, that's certainly our man!

[alf mcm]

The register of soldier's effects {recorded as Walker Bullock} states that he died of wounds in France. If he had died in a C.C.S. or Hospital then this would normally be stated. UK, Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929 - Ancestry.co.uk

Regards,

Alf McM

[alf mcm]

Findmypast has a record from Officer commanding 46 C.C.S. stating that Walter Bullock died of wounds received in action.   British Army Service Records 1914-1920 Image | findmypast.co.uk 

Regards,

Alf McM

[Allan1892]

14 hours ago, CliveMcDonald1 said:

Another description, albeit circumstantial, suggests that “A court of enquiry will presumably be assembled”

@CliveMcDonald1 -- 'Court of Enquiry assembled at Headquarters, 236th Army troops Company R.E. on the 23rd December 1917' papers held on Find My Past - link below if you have access. If not, relevant images attached courtesy of Find My Past. (no more pages after image 4 below)

British Army Service Records 1914-1920 Image | findmypast.co.uk

 

Edited 22 June , 2022 by Allan1892

[Allan1892]

Always good to see an image of the soldier in question even though it is grainy. (image courtesy of  https://ww1hull.com )

[CliveMcDonald1]

Gentlemen,

Let me first thank you for your amazingly prompt replies. When I posted my request last night I did so in the hope but not necessarily the expectation of such an outcome. The court of enquiry report is gold dust. (And maybe its time I bit the bullet and switched from Ancestry to Find my Past!) I saw this morning that your replies had come in so I was chafing at the bit all day to get home and read them.

The photo of Walt Bullock is also extraordinary. The Hull Daily Mail commemorative mug shot generally shows a young lad proud or bemused in his new uniform. Its very rare to see someone in mufti and what this shot of Walt shows is the grizzled Victoria Dock deal carrier that he was. (And to be a deal carrier, one of the most grueling jobs on the dock, still at the age of 37, shows him to be a tough one indeed.)

b.t.w. do either of you know where “Cheapside” was

Now back to decoding all this new information!

With more thanks

Mac

p.s. I believe 771 was a North Eastern locomotive. Several of that class were allocated to the Hull Docks and, as Victoria Dock was owned by the North Eastern, who knows but 771 may have been stationed there. Attached is a picture of 715

@Allan1892 

Allan1892 

@alf mcm 

 

[alf mcm]

Clive,

  With regards to the war gratuity of £3 mentioned in the register of soldiers effects, this was the minimum amount applicable and implies that Walter had been in the army for less than 12 months. It seems likely that he was conscripted rather than volunteered.

Regards,

Alf McM

[CliveMcDonald1]

Yes, that seems about right. Thanks again.

 

[CliveMcDonald1]

b.t.w. I discovered "Cheapside". It was about 1.2 miles north of the collision site.