15 Facts About Edward Bulfin

Edward Bulfin was most noted for his actions during the First Battle of Ypres, when he organized impromptu forces to slow down the German assault.

Edward Bulfin's father was a son of Edward Bulfin from Derrinlough, King's County, and was elected Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1870.

Edward Bulfin was educated at Stonyhurst College, and then at Kensington Catholic Public School Although he attended Trinity College, Dublin, he did not take a degree, choosing a military career instead.

Edward Bulfin was dispatched to India on 31 December 1889, and first saw active service in Burma in that year.

Edward Bulfin was promoted to captain on 30 January 1895.

Edward Bulfin saw action at several skirmishes in South Africa, and was promoted to a brevet major in November 1900.

Edward Bulfin was present at several battles including Belmont and Graspan, Modder River, Magersfontein, Rhenoster and Lindley.

Edward Bulfin fell ill in October 1915, and was relieved of his command by Hubert Gough, and spent the first half of 1916 recuperating in England, thus avoiding a transfer to Salonika, a fate which befell his division, now commanded by Major General Charles James Briggs, just weeks after Edward Bulfin returned home.

Edward Bulfin returned to the Western Front in June 1916, six months after having become GOC of the 60th Division during the Battle of the Somme, although the division did not play a significant role in the offensive.

Edward Bulfin proved a capable corps commander, leading his formation through Ottoman defenses at the Third Battle of Gaza, opening the way for the capture of Jerusalem.

Edward Bulfin later commanded the corps in the overwhelming victory at the Battle of Megiddo in the waning days of the war.

Edward Bulfin refused the appointment on the grounds that as a Catholic and an Irishman it would be distasteful to him to do any work which was not of a purely military character.

Edward Bulfin died of heart failure at the age of 76 at his home in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, on 20 August 1939, shortly before the beginning of the Second World War.

Edward Bulfin was buried "in an easily missed corner" at Wimborne Road Cemetery, Bournemouth, close to the graves of two of his sisters.

Edward Bulfin married Mary Frances Lonergan in 1898, with whom he had two children.