The (de) Bullion(s) family and the Law
... usually the wrong side ...

 

Since arriving in London around 1847 members of the (de) Bullion(s) family have had at least 27 skirmishes with the law, frequently for petty theft but sometimes more serious than that ...

... and one family member who joined the Metropolitan Police!

 

Surname variants. All the reasons for the variations of the surname (Bullion .. Bullions .. de Bullion .. de Bullions) are not known but in a large part this stems from a lack of education and ignorance and in some part from affectation. No link has been found with this family and the more famous de Bullion family in France. Other variations such as Bullian(s) can be seen in various records. An unrelated family chose to emigrate to New Zealand as Bullion, and to impress other people adopted Boleyn as their surname upon arrival.

 

Three Generations of Offenders with Dates of Cases ... and a policeman!

Thomas Bullions (1810-1887) m Betty Anderson
1871
John William Bullions (1836-1919) m Sarah Sophia Gill George Henry de Bullions (1848-1936) m Elizabeth Jane Hooper
1871 ; 1886 ; 1887
Thomas Alfred Bullions
(1865-1924)
1880 ; 1882 ; 1883; 1883		 Sidney Douglas Bullions
(1885-1939)
1905
 George Thomas Bullions
(1880-1980)
A policeman
 Henry Richard de Bullions
(1885-1959)
1901 ; 1904 ; 1907 ; 1908 ; 1911		 Edward Victor de Bullion
(1892-1959)
1904 ; Royal Navy ; 1909 ; 1911 ; 1912 ; 1912 ; 1912
1913 ; 1913 ; 1913 ; Army ; 1924 ; 1925 ; 1927 ; 1931

 

Background

Thomas Bullions (1810-1887) and the family

Thomas married Betty (aka Elizabeth) Anderson in 1834 in Methven, Perthshire, Scotland. The family moved to Trattrick just outside Dundee where Thomas was a labourer in the bleaching works that supported the local fabric trade. Around 1847 Thomas and the family moved to The Isle of Dogs which, at the time was in Middlesex on the eastern outskirts of London. The family initially set up home in Glengall Road; this was an area liable to flooding when the tide rose on the highly polluted River Thames.


Extract from Cross's New Plan Of London 1850

By the time of the 1851 census the family numbered 2 adults and 9 children and had moved to the slightly less unsavoury tannery district of Bermondsey and Southwark:

  • 1851 census - 9 Skin Market Place on Bankside in Southwark:
  • Thomas Bullions, head, married, 40, unemployed engine driver, born in Scotland
  • Betsey Bullions, wife, married, 42, born in Scotland
  • James Bullions, son, 17, unmarried, labourer, born in Scotland
  • John Bullions, son, unmarried, 15, scholar, born in Scotland
  • Grace Bullions, daughter, 13, occupation described as 'at home', born in Scotland
  • William Bullions, son, 11, scholar, born in Scotland
  • Catherine Bullions, daughter, 9, scholar, born in Scotland
  • Mary Bullions, daughter, 7, scholar, born in Scotland
  • Thomas Bullions, son, 5, scholar, born in Scotland
  • Isabella Bullions, daughter, 3, born in Poplar Middlesex
  • George Bullions, son, 2, born in Poplar Middlesex


Extract from Cross's New Plan Of London 1850

A tenth and final child, Horatio Nelson Bullions, was born at 9 Skin Market Place in 1852. Further life events for children James and Grace have not been identified after this census. Horatio died in nearby Guy's Hospital in 1871 when just 19 years old.

Family folklore tells us that Thomas deserted the family some time soon after 1857 when the family (Thomas snr, Elizabeth, Thomas jnr, Isabella, George, Horatio) were admitted to the Christ Church Workhouse in Marlborough Street, Southwark. Thomas snr was not at home with the family in the 1861 census at 2 Cash's Grounds in Southwark and his wife's entry is noted as "husband left". He has not been identified in the 1861 census, perhaps because he was in an institution. Inmates in institutions, such as the workhouse or gaol, are often recorded by only their initials.

Children John, William and Catherine were not with their mother in the April 1861 cenus, having set up homes of their own. John and William were both married and Catherine was living with a partner to whom she was to be married in June 1861.

Thomas snr (sometimes recorded as Thomas Bullion, or Thomas Bullions or even as the self styled Thomas De Bullion) is shown in four life events after he left the family home:

  • 1871 - assault of a woman in Hull (see below)
  • 1877 - inmate of the City of London Workhouse Infirmary in Homerton in Middlesex
              - whether Thomas was reunited with the family at this time is not known but it seems unlikely
              - it is probable that because he was chargeable to the City of London he was removed to his place of settlement
              - under the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act, his legal place of settlement was his place of birth in Perthshire
  • 1881 census - inmate of the Tibbermore Poor House in Perthshire
  • 1887 - death in the Tibbermore Poor House

Note: there existed at the same time another man of the same name, Thomas Bullions, who was an engineer on board various Royal Navy vessels and was descended from an, as yet unrelated, Bullions family. Life events for this other Thomas are frequently and wrongly attributed to the Thomas Bullion who features on this page.

 

Thomas Bullions (1810-1887)

1871   Charge; Assault   Verdict; Guilty   Sentence; 7 months in gaol

2 March 1871 - Hull and Eastern Counties Herald

"Thomas De Bullion, an elderly man, was charged on remand with seriously assaulting a woman named Esther Robinson. It is three weeks since the prisoner was first brought up for the offence. During that time the prosecutrix has been in the Infirmary, suffering from injuries alleged to have been done to her by the prisoner. She appeared in court yesterday to give evidence, but before the case came on for hearing she became so ill that she had to be removed home. Prisoner was further remanded seven days."

9 March 1871 - Hull and Eastern Counties Herald

"Thos. De Bullion, several times remanded on the charge of assaultng a woman named Esther Robinson, was again placed at the bar. Prosecutrix, though unable to walk without assistance was at the court, and she was allowed a seat whilst givine her evidence.-She said she had been housekeeper for the prisoner, who resided at No. 1, Church-street, Sculcoates. About seven o'clock in the evening of the 6th of February she went to the Sir John Falstaff public-house, which was near to where they lived. She saw the prisoner there, and he told her to sit down and wait. She waited a short time, and he then went home with her.

"When she got into the house he asked for a cloth cape (sic) he had, and she replied she would get a light, but before she could get it he struck her violently, knocking her down, and then kicked and dragged her about the house. When she was on tbe floor he threw a can of water upon her, saying, as he could not drown her he would try and burn her. She replied she was too wet to burn. She then got on a chair, when he struck her again, and threw more water upon her. She told prisoner he had nearly done for her. She then became insensible, but recovered about one o'clock the next morning, when she crawled down stairs saw a policeman, and told him what had occurred, but he said he could do nothing for her. She then went up stairs again and got upon the couch. Prisoner had then gone to bed.

"About half past five o'clock the prisoner got up, and said she was to go to bed, as she would be warmer there. She told him she could not walk as he had nearly finished her. He then carried her to bed, where she lay until a police constable, accompanied by someone, took her to the Infirmary. It was there found he had broken three of her ribs. She had been in the lnfirmary up to Saturday. Her ribs had been set, but were not better. She did not think prisoner was sober when he assaulted her, as he had not been at work that day. – No more evidence was adduced yesterday, and the prisoner was remanded seven days."

Later newspaper reports also describe Esther's injuries and the altercation in detail. Thomas was gaoled for seven months for the crime. In the 1871 census he was in prison in Hull (shown here).

 

George Henry de Bullions (1848-1936)

1871   Charge; not known;     possibly in prison in Warwickshire

George was the ninth child of Thomas Bullions. He styled himself as de Bullion, as do some of his present day descendants. He has not been positively identified in the 1871 census. It is possible that he was in the Warwick County Prison in Warwickshire:


G B, prisoner, unmarried, 23, bricklayer's labourer, London

There are other prisoners in this gaol and other gaols, all with the initials GB born in London and who are also unmarried, about this age and with occupations that are unskilled.This record is one of the closest matches from all those prisoners and assumes that George was not unrecorded on the census. No newspaper report of his crime and trial have been found.

1886   Charge; Theft     Verdict; Not Guilty.

Friday 28 May 1886 - Essex Weekly News

CHARGE OF ROBBERY AT SOUTHEND

"Geo. de Bullion, in the employ of the London, Tilbury, and Southend Railway Company, was charged with stealing a piece of coal, value four pence, from the yard of Messrs. J. and H. Girling, adjoining the Railway Station. Mr. Fred. Gregson defended. PC Ward stated that at about 11.15 on the night in question he was concealed on Messrs. Girling's coal heap adjoining the Station. He saw defendant come up to the heap, pick up a large piece of coal, and carry it a distance of about 27 yards. It was moonlight, and be could see plainly. He followed, and when within six steps of defendant he called out, and defendant dropped the coal. Defendant was then nearly 20 yards off the premises of Messrs. Girling.

Cross-examined: This man lives at Railway Terrace. If he were going home he would pass close by this coal heap. I had watched from 9.40 p.m. to 11.15 p.m. Three persons passed the coal-heap during the time, one of whom I know to be Bland (one of the ticket collectors), who was going towards Railway-terrace. I will swear they were not carrying anything. I was lying on the coal-heap beside a board, in the shadow of a truck. Defendant denied taking the coal. By Supt. Hawtree: Defendant was within two yards of me when he picked it up. I did not lose sight of him at all; as he went away I gradually raised my head to see where he was going. P.c. Spooner said he saw defendant go up High-street at 11.15 p.m. in the direction of the Railway Station. William Bugg, clerk to Messrs. Girling, said his firm had a large quantity of coal at the Railway Station like that produced. The same sort of coal was sold by Mr. Moy and Messrs. Webb. The value of the coal was 4d. After consultation with Mr. Gregaon, prisoner said, “I reserve my defence," He was then committed for trial at the Quarter Session; and upon the application of Mr. Gregson admitted to bail-himself in £20, and Mr. Thos. West in £20.

Monday 5 July 1886 - Essex Herald

SOUTHEND: ALLEGED ROBBERY.

"George De Bullion, on bail, was indicted for stealing 34lbs. of coal of Messrs. J. and H. Girling, at Southend, on the 17th of June. Mr. Earle appeared for the prosecution and Mr. C. B. Jones for the defence. After three-quarters of an hour consultation the jury were unable to agree to & verdict, eleven being in favour of a conviction and one against. The Chairman therefore decided to try the case with a fresh jury. The case was retried in the first court. The evidence having been reheard, the jury withdrew at eight o'clock, and after a lengthy consultation they were unable to come to a decision, They then retired until nine o'clock, when they informed the chairman that there was no prospect of an agreement. They were accordingly discharged, The witnesses and the prisoner were bound over to appenr at the Assize, when the case will again be tried."

Monday 26 July 1886 - Essex Herald

SOUTHEND: THE CHARGE OF STEALING COAL.

"George de Bullion (on bail), 45, & railway porter, was indicted for stealing 34 lbs. of coal, the property of Messrs. J. and E, Girling, at Southond, in May. Mr. Grubbe appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. O. R. Jones for the delence. The prisoner was twice tried at the last Quarter Bession on the same indictment, but the juries were unable to agree. The prosecutors have a coalyard adjoining the railway station at Southend. The prisoner is & railway porter, and it was alleged that he took the coal from the yard as he was returning to his home from the station. PC Ward was concealed in the yard at the time, and said that he distinctly saw the prisoner take the coal. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.

1887   Charge; Assault   Result; Sanctioned

Thursday 4 August 1887 - Southend Standard and Essex Weekly Advertiser

REACHED THE CLIMAX

"George Henry de Bullion, waiter, was charged with assaulting Alfred E. Brunt, and there was a cross-summons against Brunt for assaulting de Bullion. Mr Lamb said the parties had brought their dispute to a climax by shaking hands, and had instructed him to apply for a withdrawal in both cases. Sanctioned."

 

Thomas Alfred Bullions (1865-1924)

1880   Charge; Theft   Verdict; Guilty   Sentence; 14 days in gaol

Thomas Bullion (1810-1887) shown above had 10 children and the second was John William Bullions (c1839-1919) who was recorded as the 15 year old John in the 1851 census transcribed above. John married in 1859 and had 15 children, the fourth of which was named Thomas Alfred Bullions, presumably after his grandfather. In November 1880 young Thomas was imprisoned having been found guilty of "stealing coin".

 

1882   Charge; Trespass   Verdict; Guilty   Sentence; 1 day in gaol

Thomas was imprisoned having been found guilty of "being on enclosed premises". It is probable that he was apprehended before he was found stealing.

 

1883   Charge; Theft   Verdict; Guilty   Sentence; 3 months hard labour

6 January 1883 - South London Press

THEFT BY ONE OF THE “BLACK GANG."

"Thomas Bullion (17), belonging to the "Black Gang." was charged with stealing a pair of trousers from the shop of Mr. Page, dealer in wearing apparel, No. 21, Borough-road, on the night of the 16th ult., and attempting to steal a shawl.

"Mr. Page said that for some time past he had been annoyed by a gang of young thieves infesting that neighbourhood, and although he used every precaution, he had lost several articles of wearing apparel from the front of his shop. On Monday night he saw the prisoner and two others hovering about the front of his shop. Consequently he watched them, and saw the prisoner seize hold of a shawl and try to pull it down. Witness seized of him and handed him over to a constable, when he was found wearing a pair of trousers which were stolen from his shop on the 16th ult.

"Richard Seymour, 195 M, said he took the prisoner into custody, and on Mr. Page identifying the trousers he was wearing, he said, “Oh, I bought them four months ago, and have worn them ever since." They were examined, and Mr. Page pointed out a private mark showing that the pair were stolen on the 16th ultimo. Witness had the prisoner in custody about three months ago for a similar robbery, but he was discharged. He, however had been convicted under the Vagrant Act.

"Mr. Slade sentenced the prisoner to three months' hard labour."

 

1883   Charge; Theft   Verdict; Guilty   Sentence; 12 months in gaol

Sentenced to 12 months in Wandsworth Prison for theft of two watch cases

 

Sidney Douglas Bullions (1885-1939)

1905   Charge; Non-payment of fare on the railway   Verdict; Guilty   Sentence; 14 days in gaol

Friday 14 July 1905 - The Courier

"MALLING PETTY SESSIONS
"MONDAY.-Before R. Norton, Esq., (Chairman), and S. Lee Smith, Esq.
"TRAVELLING WITHOUT A TICKET

"Sidney Bullion was summoned for travelling on the S.E. and C. Railway without having paid his fare, at Aylesford, on June 5th; also for giving a false name and address. Mr Fraser appeared for the Company, and prisoner pleaded guilty to the first offence.

"Mr Fraser said that when the 9.23 a.m. train from Cannon-street arrived at Aylesford, a special examination was made by the ticket collector. The defendant was found in a third-class carriage, and when asked for his ticket offered the collector 1s, saying that he had got in at Snodland. The collector disbelieving this asked the defendant for his name and address, which he gave as 48, Green-street, Dartford. He also said he worked for a Mr Phillips, at Aylesford. The Inspector started to go with the defendant to that gentleman, but on the way Bullion fell down and pretended to be in a fit. He afterwards got up and said he was sorry for what he had done. When asked for his address he again tendered a false one, giving his parent's address as 70, Railway-grove, New Cross. Upon subsequent enquiries both addresses proved to be false.

"Wm. Best, a ticket inspector, in the employ of the Company, having borne out this statement, the Bench, considering it a serious offence, imposed a fine of 10s in each case, and the costs, 20s, or 14 days' imprisonment.

"The defendant went to prison."

Sidney is pictured above, probably in the 1930s.

 

George Thomas Bullions (1880-1980)

A Policeman

Born on 12 May 1880, his birth registration shows "Gearge De Bullion". He was baptised six months later in St Giles in the Fields as Thomas George De Bullion. The following April, at the census, his parents recorded him as Thomas De Bullion. By the time of the 1891 census he was then recorded as George Bullions.

He enlisted into The Scots Guards in 1898 when he was 18 years old and did three years service until 1902. Upon leaving he married Rosie Jane Barker in November 1902 and joined the Metropolitan Police a month later on 15th December 1902.

1903 - at the baptism of his son Claude George Bullions, George is shown as George Bullion, his wife as Rose; George was a police officer and was living at 3 Avondale (or Crowndale) Road in Camden Town.

1911 census - 8 Cathay Street, Rotherhithe, London
George Bullion, head, 30, married, police constable with the Metropolitan Police, St Giles London
Rose Bullion, wife, 32, married for 8 years having had two children - both still living, Wimbledon London
Claude Bullion, son, 7, school, Camden Town
Robert Bullion, son, 4, school, Bermondsey

In February 1915 his police service was interrupted when he enlisted for the duration of World War 1 with the East Lancashire Regiment (No.48325). He served as Company Sergeant Major until his discharge in 1919. During his service he was only ever stationed at training barracks in England.

George appears as PC Bullion in this image of Police Launch Renavire taken 29 December 1920. This image is held by the Thames Division Police Museum and is shown here (click for a larger image). He was stationed at Waterloo Pier (now the RNLI base in Central London), Warrant No. 89332. His shoulder number was PC 55TA

George was promoted to Police Sergeant, to Station Sergeant and then to Inspector. He was later appointed as President of the Thames Police Association.

I am grateful to Robert Jeffries, Honorary Curator of The Thames River Police Museum in Wapping for his help in compiling the history of George Bullions.

 

Henry Richard de Bullions (1885-1959)

1901     in Wandsworth Prison

His Majesty's Prison at Wandsworth
Henry Bullian; prisoner; single; 16; newsboy; working on own account; born in Kent, Mereworth

Case details for this imprisonment have not been found. Henry's family often moved home and it is likely that Henry was unaware of exactly where he was born. No other record has been found indicating the family were at Mereworth.

 

1904   Charge; Playing pitch and toss   Verdict; Guilty   Sentence; 5 shillings fine or 5 days in gaol

Friday 9 December 1904 - Brockley News, New Cross and Hatcham Review

"Henry Bullion, 23, of 86 Church-street, Deptford. playing pitch and toss in Hosier-street, Deptford. - Prisoner said he was not playing, and had no money. The constable caught him because he was leaning against the wall. - Fined 5s, or 5 days."

 

1907   Charge; Burglary   Verdict; Guilty   Sentence; 6 months in gaol

1907 Register of Habitual Criminals


click for larger image

 

1911   Charge; Schoolhousebreaking   Verdict; Guilty   Sentence; 15 months in gaol

Saturday 11 March 1911 - East London Observer

"ALLEGED BURGLARY AT A SCHOOL

"Henry Butler and Robert Carr were charged with breaking into the London County Council Betts-street School. St. George’s East, and stealing therefrom a quantity of calico. Constable 244 stated that at half-past four that morning, while in Betts-street, he heard a noise in the London County Council School. He watched, and prisoners come on the wall. 'They crossed the road and Butler carried a bag, which was found to contain calico. Carr ran away. At the police-station Butler said, “ All right. I don’t mind. You've copped me fair.” Carr was afterwards arrested at his house, when be said, "You’ve got me and the stuff." Prisoners were remanded."

1912 Register of Habitual Criminals


click for larger image

In the 1911 census he was in Wormwood Scrubs Prison and recorded as Henry Butler, 28, single, a sailmaker born in Southend.

 

 

Edward Victor de Bullion (1892-1959)

1904   Age: 11 years 6 months;     Charge; Burglary   Verdict; Guilty   Sentence; Remanded, sent to an Industrial School

Friday 3 June 1904 - Kentish Mercury

BAD BOYS

"Edward Bullion, 13 (sic), of Cornbury-street, Old Kent road, and Charles Kingman, 11, of Burgos-grove, Greenwich, were charged with breaking into a warehouse at No. 113, Railway-arches, High-street, Deptford, and stealing 36 glasses belonging to Benjamin Books, of 24 Tanner's-hill, Deptford. Ambrose Price, of 85, Charles street, Deptford, stated that on Sunday afternoon, seeing the boys sorting glasses in the warehouse, he fetched a constable. Police-constable Tipton, 504 R, stated that he saw the boys in an adjoining stable and took them into custody. He had since found 36 glasses in a tip cart in the stable. The boys' fathers gave them a bad character, and Alfred Bell, Industrial Schools officer, said they had been sleeping out for several nights and kept very bad company. The Magistrate remanded them to the Camberwell Home with a view to sending them to an Industrial School."

Remanded for 7 days.

Note: Certified industrial schools provided industrial training and residential care for destitute and vagrant children, between 1857 and 1933 in England. In addition to school teachers, the staff included trade teachers who provided training in skills which would help with the children's own personal care, such as shoemaking and tailoring, as well as trade skills like printing and woodwork. Other work such as wood chopping was undertaken to produce a financial return for the school. On admission the children were, almost invariably, in a poor state of health and needed a better diet, medical care and physical exercise. The schools' regimes were not intended to be punitive but to provide a basis for their future lives. Religious instruction played an important part in the children's training and education and the provision of after-care was a primary element of the better schools. They catered mainly for children between the ages of eight and fifteen.

1908   Age: 15 years 4 months;     Enlisted with The Royal Navy

The Royal Navy had established training centres at which recruits could be inducted into navy life. These bases accommodated volunteers aged between 15 and 17 who could spend a year being educated for future service in the navy. Boys were trained in seamanship and gunnery, as well as traditional aspects of sea life. In 1908 HMS Ganges I Training Establishment was based at Shotley on the Essex coast and was primarily a shore based establishment. This is where Edward was posted upon enlistment into the Royal Navy on 3 April 1908. It is probable that Edward's enlistment into the Royal Navy was organized by the industrial school.

Edward gave his birthday as 31 December 1891, making him almost year older than his true age. This would have meant that his service as a boy was almost a year shorter and he became an Ordinary Seaman, on higher pay, on 31 December 1909. This additional period would also count towards his naval pension. Edward left the service on 24 November 1911 after almost two years service as an Ordinary Seaman.

Having served on shore establishments and accomodation vessels in home waters his only long term posting was on HMS Flora from 1909 to 1911. In this time Flora (pictured here) sailed to many foreign places and at the time of the 1911 census was stationed off Vietnam.

Edward's period of service was, however, somewhat chequered. In early 1909 he was the accused in the Civil Power court case described below. Whilst on Flora he had four terms of imprisonment whilst on board, viz: two periods of seven days, one period of 14 days and one period of 21 days with hard labour.

Upon his return to home shores he was stationed at HMS Vivid, a shore established in Plymouth, from which he deserted on 24 November 1911 when aged almost 19. He was recovered as a deserter in 1912 but was not required for any future service, sacrificing his Royal Navy pension. Having escaped the clutches of the Royal Navy, Edward returned to South London and either started, but more probably resumed, a life of petty crime.

1909   Age: 16 years 5 months;     Charge; Indecent Assault   Verdict; Not Guilty

Friday 28 May 1909 - Woolwich Gazette

"Edward Bullion, 17(sic), of 120, Watergate-st, Deptford, a sailor on HMS Highflyer, stationed at Devonport, was charged with indecently assaulting John Harlick, age 12, of the same address. - P.S. Stoneham said that at 4.15 that morning prisoner, accompanied by Harlick and George Wade, come to the Deptford Police Station, when a statement was made by the lad. Prisoner, on being charged, made no reply.- Prisoner was remanded on bail".

Edward was remanded for the production of evidence for a 'serious offence' but was acquitted and discharged as shown on his Royal Navy service record and in the Sydenham, Forest Hill & Penge Gazette of Saturday 12 June 1909

The following convictions (*) were recorded in a 1931 newspaper report (see below).

1912, March   Charge; Unlawful posession of some dates   Verdict; *Guilty   Sentence; 14 days hard labour

1912, May   Charge; Stealing a pick axe   Verdict; *Guilty   Sentence; 6 weeks in gaol

1912, October   Charge; Stealing firewood   Verdict; *Guilty   Sentence; 2 months in gaol

Friday 18 October 1912 - Brockley News, New Cross and Hatcham Review

"Edward Bullion, 21, stealing firewood, value 12s., entrusted to him to sell, the property of Leonard Izard, 10, Florence-cottages, New Cross. Mr. Symmons told prisoner that Izard had helped him with employment and food, and he repaid the kindness by robbing him. Two months."

1912, December   Charge; Stealing a pair of trousers   Verdict; *Guilty   Sentence; 1 month in gaol

1913, May   Charge; Stealing a bridle   Verdict; *Guilty   Sentence; 1 month in gaol

1913, July   Charge; Stealing money   Verdict; *Guilty   Sentence; 3 months in gaol

1913, December   Charge; Cruelly ill-treating a pony   Verdict; Guilty   Sentence; Fined £2 or 1 month in gaol

Thursday 11 December 1913 - Bromley Chronicle

UNFIT FOR WORK

"At the Bromley Police Court on Friday, Edward Bullion (20), a general dealer, of Carrington House, Deptford, was charged with cruelly ill-treating a pony by working it whilst in an unfit state at Sevenoaks-road, Farnborough, on Thursday. Prisoner pleaded not guilty.-P.c. Bell said the horse was in a very poor condition. On the withers, underneath the saddle, was a bad sore and the animal was lame on both fore legs.-P.s. Boyce saw the prisoner, from a window, hit the horse hard with a whip. The pony was unable to walk. Witness also saw the prisoner put some gravel underneath the saddle.--Inspr. Riley told the Magistrates that the horse was unfit for work, and ought to be destroyed. --The prisoner said the owner of the pony left him just before they got to the Police Station. Prisoner was fined 40s. and costs, or a month."

1914       Enlisted with The Royal Garrison Artillery

Six months before the start of World War One Edward enlisted in the British Army and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery at Great Yarmouth on 2 March 1914 as a Gunner. Although his parents were both alive Edward named his elder brother as next of kin - "George, Thames Police Wapping" - presumably because this lent greater credibility. Whether George knew about this, we cannot say.

Just like his service in the Royal Navy, Edward's period of service with the Army was undistinguished. In May 1914 he was admonished for being absent for 10½ hrs and missing a parade. In June 1916 he was confined to barracks for 5 days for overstaying his leave by 8 hours. He repeated the offence later in the month and was confined to barracks for seven days. Further absences in August resulted in two more periods of confined to barracks, one for seven days and one for ten days. For all these infractions he forfeited pay as well.

Edward's service record shows that he was in France from September to December 1914 when the first Battle of Ypres was raging. During these few weeks he reported sick on two occasions and by 6 December 1914 he was back in the UK. For this service he was entitled to wear the 1914 Star.

Following his return from France, on the 21 January 1915 Edward deserted again and remained on the run for 287 days until November when he was returned to the garrison and tried before a court martial for desertion. His sentence was six months imprisonment with hard labour but this was later commuted to the detention without the hard labour. All Edward's service that counted towards his pension was also forfeited. He served five months of that detention and was then released on 20 March 1916 and returned to service at Gosport. Less than a week later he was on the run again, having deserted once more.

No further entries appear on his army service record but hi Royal Navy record shows that on 27 April 1916 he was handed a form proving his service in the navy and that his character was 'fair'. It would seem that he applied for this as evidence of naval service and could be used to deflect enquiries about somebody 'with a similar name' who had deserted from the army.

1924, December   Charge; Stealing a coat and a bicycle   Verdict; *Guilty   Sentence; 3 months and 3 months consecutively

1925, March   Charge; Drunk   Verdict; Guilty   Sentence; Fine of 5 shillings or 5 days in gaol

1927, June   Charge; Stealing wired rubber hosepipe   Verdict; Not Guilty

Friday 24 June 1927 - Kent & Sussex Courier

BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT

"Edward Bullion, an engine driver for William Pettigrove, travelling showman, was summoned for stealing 30 feet of steel wired rubber hosepipe, valued at £3, at Iden Park, Staplehurst, belonging to Harry Bridgland. Ernest George Goldsmith, who said he worked for Mr. Bridgland, identified the pipe found in the possession of accused as that which he had left in a pond at Iden Park on Monday night, and which was missing on Tuesday. Sergt. H. F. Tuff stated that in the course of his enquiries he proceeded to Headcorn, where he saw the pipe attached to an engine. Defendant stated that he had bought the pipe from a man he had met on a bicycle for 2s. He denied having been near Iden Park. The Chairman said the Bench would give him the benefit of the doubt and the case would be dismissed."

1931, October   Charge; Theft of a watch and cufflinks   Verdict; Guilty   Sentence; 6 months hard labour

Saturday 10 October 1931 - Folkestone Herald

"MOTOR DRIVER'S BAD RECORD
"Six months imprisonment for theft

"WATCH AND RINGS PAWNED

"Found guilty of stealing one silver watch and two gold rings, Edward Bullion (38)(sic), a motor-driver, of "Mackay," Bourne Road, Aldington, was sentenced to six [months] imprisonment with hard labour after two other offences had been taken into consideration at his request, at Seabrook Police Court on Monday.

"He was charged with stealing the articles, which were valued at £5 by the owner, Peter Alfred Wickham, at Aldington on September 22nd. P.C. Albert Green, of Stanford, stated that at about 9.40 p.m. on September 22nd, in consequence of a message, he proceeded to "Mackay," Aldington, where he saw Bullion. He cautioned him and told him that he had a warrant for his arrest for stealing the articles which formed the subject of the charge. He replied: "I have nothing to say." Later the same evening at Seabrook Police Station, when cautioned and charged, Bullion made the same reply.

"Wickham said Bullion and his wife had furnished rooms at his house. He described how, when he went to wind his watch on going to bed at about 9.30 on the day in question, he found the watch and also two rings missing, and indentified the articles now produced in Court as the missing articles. Bullion was supposed to be at work that night and did not return until the following day. Superintendent Golding, in reply to the Clerk (Mr. A. Dallas Brett) said that the pawn tickets had been returned in order to recover the articles.

"On the following Monday, witness continued, Bullion had returned. He handed witness three pawn-tickets, and said that he had not sold the articles, and that he was very sorry for what he had done. In the meantime, however, a warrant had been issued for his arrest. As soon as the police-constable came, witness handed the pawn-tickets over to him. In reply to Bullion, witness admitted that when he had wanted to drop the case on Bullion's return home, Bullion had asked him to send for the police. When the charge was read over to him, and he was given the choice of trial by a jury in that Court, Bullion asked to be dealt with summarily and pleaded guilty.

"A BAD RECORD.

"Superintendent Golding told the Bench that Bullion had asked that two offences he had committed at Maidstone should be taken into consideration, namely, stealing an overcoat valued £33s, in February, 1930, and stealing a lady's purse containing £9 11s. 6d. in August, 1930."

"Previous convictions proved against Bullion were as follows:
" - March, 1912, 14 days with hard labour at Thames Police Court for being in unlawful possession of some dates:
" - March, 1925, 5s. or five days at Greenwich for being drunk:
" - May, 1912, six weeks at Greenwich for stealing a pick-axe;
" - October, 1912, two months at Greenwich for stealing firewood;
" - December, 1912, one month for stealing a pair of trousers;
" - May. 1913, at Greenwich one month for stealing a bridle:
" - July, 1913. three months at Greenwich for stealing money;
" - December, 1924, three months and three months consecutively at Tower Bridge Police Court for stealing a coat and a bicycle.

"The Bench made a short retirement, after which the Chairman (Mr. C. Sheath) said that Bullion had a very bad record, and the Bench sentenced him to six months' imprisonment with hard labour."

"Bullion asked if the Bench could not give him a little leniency on account of his wife, who was about to become a mother. The Chairman said Bullion should have considered that before he committed the offence for which he had been sentenced."