Pte 47371 Robert Bulfield

• Age: 37
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 8th May 1918
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31-34

Robert Bulfield was born on 13th June 1881 the son of Robert Bufield and his wife Amelia (nee Brew). His parents married in 1880 at St Mary's Church, Edge Hill, Liverpool. Robert junior was baptised at St Peter's Church, Liverpool on 26th December 1881. 

On the 1891 Census the family are living at 50 Harbord Street, Wavertree. His father, Robert, is aged 38 and is a general porter born West Derby, Liverpool, his mother Amelia is 37 and was born in Toxteth.; They have two children in the household Robert aged 9 born in Liverpool and William aged 7 and also born Liverpool. Also listed is a lodger Olivia Faraday aged 77.  

By the time of the 1901 Census the family have moved to 119 Chatsworth Street, Edge Hill. His father, Robert, is a 48 year old cotton porter at docks, his mother Amelia is 47. They have two children listed as at home; Robert aged 19 is a tea packer in warehouse, William aged 17 is a tailors shop porter.

He married Phoebe Margaret Young at St Mary's Church, Edge Hill, Liverpool on 10th October 1905, they gave their address as 15 Thornes Road, Kensington.

His mother, Amelia, died in the December quarter of 1910, aged 51.

On the 1911 Census his new family are living at 147 Goodison Road, Walton. Robert, aged 30, is a public house barman, his wife Phoebe Margaret is 32. They state that they have been married for 6 years and have had five children three of whom have survived. Those listed at home are; Robert Ramsdale 5, William Arthur 4, and Amelia Elizabeth 3.  

They had nine children; Robert Ramsdale born in the June quarter of 1906, William Arthur born in the March quarter of 1907, Amelia Elizabeth born in the June quarter of 1908, and twins Margaret and John born in the June quarter of 1910. Sadly Margaret and John both died in infancy. Harry was born in the June quarter of 1911 after the Census. Walter was born in the March quarter of 1913, Thomas in the June quarter of 1915 and Mary Agnes born in the March quarter of 1918.  

His father, Robert, died in the December quarter of 1912 aged 60. 

He enlisted in Liverpool and was serving in the 17^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 47371 when he was killed in action on the 08^th May 1918 aged 44 during the German Spring Offensive.

The 17th Battalion were at this time in the Vierstraat Sector. the diary reports that the day passed quietly until the afternoon. The front line ran through Klein Vierstraat Cabaret. At 4.30 pm it was reported that the Germans had advanced and were now in " our original front line". At 7.10 pm A and B company's of the 17th Battalion were ordered to move forward in artillery formation from support line with object of co-operating with French troops who were advancing towards the enemy. At 08.10 pm the advance was reported to be going well on the left but nothing could be seen on the right. The situation at the end of the day was that the 17th Battalion were holding the line alongside several other units but casualties were heavy. Captain Norman Henry and Second Lieutenant Dudley Hammond Black were killed in action alongside 17 other ranks one of which was Robert Bulfield.

Robert has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to widow Phoebe M. 
On the 1939 register she is aged 60 still living at 147 Goodison Road with 2 of her children Thomas 24 and Mary 21

Phoebe died in the December quarter of 1966, aged 88. 

We currently have no further information on Robert Bulfield, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.