Percy Albert Bullard

A Deck Hand with H.M. Drifter Coleus, Percy died on 4th of October 1918 at the age of 24.

Percy, also shown in some sources as Percival, was born at Kirkley on 5 January 1898, a son of William Charles and Eliza Bullard. From 7 January 1901 Percy attended Kirkley School and his family lived at 12 Lovewell Road. By 1911 Percy’s mother had died and his family lived at 8 Flora Terrace, Carlton Road. In 1915 Percy lived at 5 Saint John’s Road. 

In 1916 Percy married Ruth Emmerson: this was registered in the South Shields district. In 1918 Ruth lived at 6 Lady’s Walk, South Shields. In 1919 Ruth married Peter Boyack and subsequently lived at 21 Wellington Street, South Shields.

Percy joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 1 April 1915 and served on the trawler Early Morn until 23 March 1916 when he joined the Golden Spur. He was drafted to H.M.S. Ganges on 27 November 1917 and came under H.M.S. Attentive II, at Dover, from 18 January 1918. Sidney joined the drifter Coleus on 2 September 1918.  

On 4 October 1918 the Coleus was patrolling off Dover and was sunk by a mine. Four of the crew, including Percy, were killed, and another wounded.