Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A mounted group of six miniature dress medals attributed to Brigadier-General G. Bull, Royal Irish Rifles and Royal Irish Fusiliers, Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with top bar, slight enamel damage; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Rhodesia, Orange Free State Transvaal; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps; 1914 Star, with clasp; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted as worn, in glass-fronted case, generally nearly extremely fine (6) £160-200

George Bull was born on 3 June 1877, third son of R. G. Bull, J.P., of Downshire House, Newry, Northern Ireland. He gained his first commission with the 5th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, serving in South Africa, September 1901-31 May 1902. Appointed a Lieutenant with the Royal Irish Fusiliers in 1907, he was promoted to Captain in 1912 and served for some time as Adjutant of the 5th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment. On the outbreak of war, he went overseas with the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers and served with distinction in France and Flanders. He was twice mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 17 February and 22 June 1915), was awarded the brevet of Major and was slightly wounded in the hand. On 1 November 1915 he was appointed commanding officer of the 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles and subsequently commanded a brigade as a Brigadier-General. He was at the front with his troops on the 1st day of the battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916 but was wounded by a sniper’s bullet in the shoulder and loin whilst examining a parapet on 7 June. For his services in the Winter of 1915/16 and Spring of 1916 he was again mentioned in despatches and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette 3 June 1916). Brigadier-General Bull eventually succumbed to his wounds, dying on 11 December 1916.

Sold with a leather bound album, cover title in gold lettering, ‘Brigadier General George Bull, D.S.O. 8th Infantry Brigade, born 10th May 1877, died of wounds 11th Oct. 1916’ (note dates differ from above). The album contains numerous newspaper cuttings relating to the career and death of the General. The length of newsprint indicating he was a well known and much respected Irish officer.