Story of town’s Eric Bullock

Eric was the son of Luke and Rebecca Bullock of ‘Oakwood’, Bodangora, and both his parents signed a document giving their consent for Eric to enlist.

A regimental number of N35902 indicates that Eric spent a period of time at an Australian Depot prior to being accepted in the AIF. He spent several months at a depot in Marrickville in the Machine-Gun Section, before being transferred to a Machine-Gun Training Depot at Seymour, Victoria.

Eric sailed from Melbourne aboard the Suevic on 21 June, landing at Devonport, England on August 26, marching into the 14th Training Battalion at Hurdcott. 

Eric was transferred to the 54^th Battalion, and later sent to France to join the new battalion on December 18, 1917. Eric would serve with the 54th Battalion while in the frontline.

On June 15 Eric attended the 15th Australian Field Ambulance suffering badly from trench fever. He had recovered sufficiently to be granted furlough on June 28 and was granted two week’s leave. At the completion of the leave Eric was to report to the Number 4 Command Depot at Hurdcott.  

While at the Hurdcott Depot Eric ran foul of the authorities, listed as absent without leave on August 20.  Eric was awarded seven days Confined to Barracks and the forfeiture of two days pay. He was charged with neglecting to obey an order on September 7, for this offence he received a further two days CB.

On January 25, 1919 Private Eric Bullock boarded the Ceramic and began his return voyage to Australia.  During the voyage he was briefly appointed as the Pay Sergeant (Eric’s substantive rank remained Private).

Eric Bullock was discharged from the AIF on April 28, 1919.  He returned to the Wellington district and married Ada Job in June 1923.  The couple had three children, Gordon, Joan and Val.  Eric again served during WW2, as a Warrant Officer with the Australian Army Provost Corps.