Pauline Priano has submitted the following:
One of 5 children, 3 boys and 2 girls, William Ephrim Bullen was the eldest son of Tempest Carey Bullen Snr and Mary Wright.
Born at Plymouth, Devon, January 12th 1864, Tempest Carey Bullen Snr, his parents and siblings were living at 62, Up Berkley Street, Maryleborn, London in 1871but after the death of his father they moved to Everton, Liverpool, until Tempest alone migrated to the north east taking up residence at Westwood Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, working as a manager in 1900.
In 1901 he was as a lodger at 29, Crown Street, in the suburban district of Elswick, Newcastle upon Tyne, employed as a shipbroker’s clerk. Tempest was married in the parish of Christ Church, Tynemouth, Northumberland in 1893 where his bride Edith Wright, was born, February 6th 1869, who was the daughter of bank agent Henry Wright and his wife Elizabeth.
The bride wore a gown of Cream bengaline and a veil of embroidered tulle and pearls, a present of the bridegroom. Her sisters Jessie and Elsie Wright wore gowns of crépon trimmed with silk and carried bouquets of red and cream roses, a gift of the bridegroom. The Reverend Canon Brutton officiated.
Their daughter Edith Anna was born in 1894, William Ephrie, September 8th 1895, Henry Stanley Tempest 1897, Tempest Carey Jnr 1898 and Kathleen in 1901 whilst they were living at 41, Luis Hill Terrace, Tynemouth. Tempest Carey Bullen, still a ship broker’s agent was working from a counting house at 21, Rectory Terrace, Gosforth, and although the majority of his children were of school age they were not listed as such in the census of 1901.The household employed a domestic servant and a nursery maid to attend to the children’s needs.
Tempest Carey Bullen Snr who had been initiated as a Freemason at Gosforth Lodge in April 1890 and ran T. C. & Co, at 42, Sandhill Chambers, Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne, died, November 6th 1912 at Hurstville, New South Wales, Australia. When the news of his demise reached England, his wife Edith and the children were living at 8, Woodbine Avenue, Gosforth. Edith was supported in a very small way by her son William as he was an apprentice fitter and part time student. After the settlement of her husband’s estate Edith was listed in future census as, “ a woman of means”.
Upon the declaration of war, August 4th 1914, William Ephrie was 19 years of age. He was posted to the Royal Navy and transferred to the Royal Naval Air Service. March 15th 1918 and to the Royal Air Force, April 1st 1918. As Air Mechanic II Class 56170 he served at Pembroke II Eastchurch Naval Air Station and Battersea, April 21st 1918 before moving to Ripon to be discharged, February 1st 1919. Awards; British War Medal.
His brothers also served during WW1. Tempest Carey Bullen survived the conflict their brother Henry Stanley Tempest Bullen died in 1917.
Post-war William (25) in his capacity as an engineer travelled overseas. January 1st 1921 he left Liverpool aboard the Stentor of the Blue Funnel Steamship Line. The ship’s final destination was Japan, William had contracted his passage to leave the ship in Singapore.
At the latest William had returned to England by 1932 and moved to 46, Highfield Road, district of Coulsdon and Purley, Surrey, moving in with his family and was employed as a qualified mechanical engineer. Head of the family, his mother Edith is described in the census as, “a woman of means,” as was his sister Kathleen who was also an Air Raid Precautions Warden.
Edith Bullen nee Wright resident at 42, Highfield Road, Purley, Surrey, died in 1947.
William Ephrie Bullen of the aforementioned address died, November 3rd 1963. Probate, London, February 5th 1964 to Martins Bank Limited, £212087.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
