Edward Bulfin

Infobox Military Person
name=Sir Edward Stanislaus Bulfin
lived=6 November 1862-20 August 1939
placeofbirth=Rathfarnham
placeofdeath=Boscombe
allegiance=United Kingdom
serviceyears=1884-1926
branch=British Army
rank=Lieutenant-General
commands=Essex Regiment
2nd Infantry Brigade
28th Division
60th Division
XXI Corps
battles=First Battle of Ypres
Third Battle of Gaza
Battle of Jerusalem
Battle of Megiddo

Sir Edward Stanislaus Bulfin KCB CVO (6 November 1862-20 August 1939) was a British general during World War I, where he established a reputation as an excellent commander at the brigade, divisional and corps levels. He was most noted for his actions during the First Battle of Ypres, when he organized impromptu forces to slow down the German assault.

Early life

Bulfin was born near Dublin, the second son of Patrick Bulfin and Teresa Clare Carroll. He was educated at Stonyhurst College, and then at Kensington Catholic Public School [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/32162 Dictionary of National Biography online edition, accessed 19 Aug 2007] ] Although he attended Trinity College, Dublin, he did not take a degree, choosing a military career instead.

Military career

Bulfin was commissioned into the Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment) in 1884, following militia service with the Royal Irish Fusiliers. [http://www.firstworldwar.bham.ac.uk/donkey/bulfin.htm Edward Bulfin at the Centre for First World War Studies] ] He married Mary Frances Lonergan in 1898 (immediately prior to posting to South Africa), with whom he had two children. His career did not advance very much until the Boer War, when he was appointed Brigade Major to the 1st (Guards) Brigade. He saw action at several skirmishes in South Africa, but upon his return to England, he abandoned regimental soldiering in favor of a staff career. From 1902 to 1904, he served as deputy assistant adjutant-general with I Corps, and from 1906-1910 as assistant adjutant and quartermaster-general for Cape Colony. After returning to England, he was promoted to colonel and given command of the Essex Regiment, an unusual appointment as Bulfin had never commanded a battalion. In 1913, he was promoted again, and appointed to the prestigious command of the 2nd Infantry Brigade.

World War I

At the outbreak of World War I Bulfin and the 2nd Brigade were transported to the Western Front as part of the original British Expeditionary Force. During the fighting around Ypres at the end of October 1914, he organized an impromptu force of six battalions (known as "Bulfin's force") and led a counter attack to stem the German advance. This action won him considerable praise from 1st Corps commander Douglas Haig, as well as BEF commander John French. [http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/bulfin.htm Edward Bulfin at First World War.com] ] In December, he was promoted to command the newly formed 28th Division, and led this formation through the heavy German gas attacks at the 2nd Battle of Ypres, and also at the Battle of Loos. Bulfin fell ill in October 1915, and spent the first half of 1916 recuperating in England, thus avoiding a transfer to Salonika. He returned to the Western Front in June 1916 to command the 60th Division during the Battle of the Somme, although the division did not play a significant role in the offensive.

alonika and Palestine

In December 1916, 60th Division was transferred to Salonika, although they remained for only six months and took part in no serious fighting. Moving to Palestine in June 1917, Bulfin was promoted to lieutenant-general and given command of XXI Corps. He 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. He later commanded the corps in the overwhelming victory at the Battle of Megiddo in the waning days of the war.

Post war

After the armistice, Bulfin remained in the army in a variety of staff positions, finally retiring in 1926. He died in 1939 at his home in Boscombe.

Notes

References

* [http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/bulfin.htm Edward Bulfin at First World War.com]

* [http://www.firstworldwar.bham.ac.uk/donkey/bulfin.htm Edward Bulfin at the Birmingham Centre for First World War Studies]

* [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/32162 Dictionary of National Biography online edition, accessed 19 Aug 2007] Persondata
NAME = Bulfin, Edward
ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Bulfin, Edward Stanislaus
SHORT DESCRIPTION = British Army General
DATE OF BIRTH = 6 November 1862
PLACE OF BIRTH = Dublin, Ireland
DATE OF DEATH = 20 August 1939
PLACE OF DEATH = Boscombe, Dorset, England