MILITARY HISTORY

Private James Percival Cullen — 195867 — ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)

James Percival Cullen was 25 years and 12 days old when, as a single man, he was Attested in the Canadian Army (CA), Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in Peterborough, Ontario. He enlisted in Peterborough on March 26, 1916 with the 93rd Canadian Reserve Infantry Battalion (Can Res Inf Bn) CEF for the duration of the War. James Percival was born in Smith Township, RR #4, Peterborough on March 14, 1891. He was 5′ 6″ tall, dark complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair and had a 38″ chest (expanded); he weighed 147 pounds. His present address is Smith Township, RR #4, Peterborough. James Percival gave his occupation as a Farmer at his enlistment. His next-of-kin was his father, Thomas J. Cullen living in Smith Township, RR #4, Peterborough with his mother, Helena G. Cullen. He indicated that he had no previous Active Militia Force nor Military Force experience. James Percival’s Medical Examination was done at the 57th Regiment, Peterborough on February 3, 1916. The following were discovered during James Percival’s medical examination: scar from a repaired hair-lip – right side; a scar across his, back outer side, of left thigh; a scar on his the inner side, right calf (scald) and scar from varicocele operation. He was found fit for duty. On December 1, 1917 James Percival initiated a Pay Assignment of $20.00 monthly to his sister Miss Olive G. Cullen living at Smith Township, RR #4 Peterborough, Ontario. Payments go to the Bank of Montréal, Peterborough, Ontario; the Assignment was stopped on June 1, 1919. On March 25, 1916 James Percival Cullen was assigned the Rank of Private (Pte); given Regimental Number 883594 and taken-on-strength to the 93rd Can Res Inf Bn. The Certificate Of Officer Commanding Unit was signed on March 26, 1916.

There is a 3-month, 3-week gap in information due to nothing in Pte Cullen’s Military File; he would have been on training and doing assigned duties. On July 15, 1916 Pte Cullen embarked the SS Empress of Britain at Halifax, Nova Scotia for England.

On July 25, 1916 Pte Cullen disembarked the SS Empress of Britain at England. July 31, 1916 Pte Cullen was appointed to the acting Rank of Lance Corporal (L/Cpl), with pay, on arrival in England, at Otterpool. August 7, 1916 L/Cpl Cullen reverts to the Rank of Private at Otterpool at his own request. September 15, 1916 the 93rd Can Res Inf Bn is transferred to the 18th Can Res Inf Bn at Otterpool. September 16, 1916 Pte Cullen is struck-off-strength from the 93rd Can Res Inf Bn and taken-on-strength to the 18th Can Res Inf Bn at the Canadian Base Depot (CBD), in the Field. October 3, 1916 Pte Cullen joined the 18th Can Res Inf Bn in the Field. His present address is 107 Gloucester St., Toronto, Ontario.

There is a 5½ -month gap in information due to nothing in Pte Cullen’s Military File; he would have been on training with the 18th Can Res Inf Bn and doing assigned duties. It is believed that he could have been transferred to France during this time period, perhaps in October 1916.

April 9, 1917 Pte Cullen was wounded in the Field. April 12, 1917 he is admitted to the No 2 Aust General Hospital with a gunshot wound (GSW) to his neck and a fractured arm. April 13, 1917 Pte Cullen was admitted to the H. S. Jan Breydel with a GSW to his neck (severe) and a fractured arm April 15, 1917 Pte Cullen is struck-off-strength from the 18th Can Res Inf Bn at Bramshott and taken-on-strength to the Western Ontario Regiment Depot (WORD) in the Field. April 16, 1917 Pte Cullen is admitted, with a gunshot wound (GSW) and a fracture of arm, to the No 2 Scottish General Hospital in Edinburgh, England and taken-on-strength from the 18th Can Res Inf Bn at Bramshott, England. May 14, 1917 Pte Cullen was admitted, suffering from a thru & thru gunshot wound (GSW) to his neck and a fracture of arm, to The Royal Infirmary Hospital of Edinburgh. No further damage, slight dressing required. Wounds healed; stiffness of the neck especially left side. A little catch felt on swallowing; limitation of movement of neck.

May 21, 1917 Pte Cullen was moved from The Royal Infirmary Hospital of Edinburgh to the Princess Patricia’s (PP) Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital (CRCSH) at Ramsgate, Kent, England. July 13, 1917 he was discharged from the PP Canadian Red Cross Special Hospital. July 23, 1917 Pte Cullen reported to the Depot Company from Furlough to the WORD. August 8, 1917 Pte Cullen is struck-off-strength from the WORD to the Canadian Army Service Corps* (CASC); taken-on-strength with the WORD at Bramshott and was attached to Unit for P 2 RDD. August 9, 1917 he ceases to be attached and is taken-on-strength to the CASC Unit at Bramshott. *The CASC is a branch of the military responsible for supplying troops in the Field. August 17 (5), 1917 Pte Cullen is attached to Unit from the 5th Driver Transport (DT) at Witley, England. There is a 3-month gap in information due to nothing in Pte Cullen’s Military File; he would have been on training and doing assigned duties. November 19, 1917 Pte Cullen is On-Command to CASC, Bramshott and attached to the 5th DT. There is a 4-month gap in information due to nothing in Pte Cullen’s Military File; he would have been on training and doing assigned duties.

March 7, 1918 Pte Cullen is struck-off-strength to the CASC District Depot (DD) Bramshott; ceases to be attached to the 5th DT and is taken-on-strength to the CASC DD at Witley.

There is a 1-year, 2-month gap in information due to nothing in Pte Cullen’s Military File; it is unknown where he was nor what he was doing. May 12, 1919 Pte Cullen is at the School of Cooking in London, England and is struck-off-strength from the CASC DD to the CASC Canadian Draft (CD). May 15, 1919 he is taken-on-strength with the CASC CD from the CASC Witley at Bladford, Dorset, England. May 23, 1919 Pte Cullen is struck-off-strength from CASC CD to M Wing Witley at Bladford, Dorset, England. June 16, 1919 Pte Cullen is struck-off-strength on proceeding to Canada; he is taken-on-strength with the No 3 DD at Kingston, Ontario and discharged from the Canadian Army on July 4, 1919 due to demobilization. June 23, 1919 he is struck-off-strength of Overseas Minister (OM) In Command (I C) having sailed to Canada.

There is no mention in James Percival Cullen’s File with regards to what Military Medals he was eligible to receive or was awarded. Based on his Military Service, he was awarded the:

British War Medal; and
Victory Medal.
He would have received the CEF Class “A” War Service Badge.

His medals were dispatched about December 22, 1922.

Private James Percival Cullen did not qualify for the War Service Gratuity. He would have received a Clothing Allowance and a Rehabilitation grant.

Private James Percival Cullen served for 3 years and 2 months: 4 months in Canada with the 93rd Can Res Inf Bn; 1 month in England with the 93rd Can Res Inf Bn; 2 years in England with the Canadian Army Service Corps and 1 month in France with the 18th Can Res Inf Bn.

An excerpt from an article in McLean’s magazine by Barbara Amiel, September 1996:

The military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honorable?

PERSONAL HISTORY

JAMES PERCIVAL CULLEN

James Percival Cullen was born in Smith Township on March 14, 1891, son of Thomas J. Cullen and Helena Gertrude Millar. He was raised on the family farm located on Lot 23 Concession 5 of Smith Township and he attended the local school while helping on the farm. James Percival went by the name “Percy”.

On March 26, 1916 at age 25 years, Percy went to Peterborough and enlisted to serve his King and Country. After the War, James Percival Cullen settled in Toronto. On August 14, 1922, James was issued a marriage license to marry Alice Victoria Groves. They made their home at 56 Gilgorm Road, Forest Hill Village. On July 18, 1923, Ruth Olive Cullen was born – sadly on September 25, 1937 she was struck by a car and died of her head injuries. She was 14 years of age and is buried in Westminster Memorial Park in Forest Hill.

Percy was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church and is included on a Memorial Plaque that hung in Knox Presbyterian Church and remembers with honour members of Knox Presbyterian Church who served in the Armed Forces during World War I. This plaque was later moved to the Sanctuary of Lakefield United Church on Regent Street in 1932 after the two churches merged to form Lakefield United Church.

THE JAMES PERCIVAL CULLEN FAMILY OF SMITH TOWNSHIP

James Cullen’s parents were Thomas J. Cullen born on September 29, 1851 and Helena Gertrude Millar born on May 3, 1860. They married and settled on a farm located on Lot 23, Concession 5 of Smith Township and attended Knox Presbyterian Church in Lakefield.. They raised three children on the family farm – James Percival born March 14, 1891, Stuart Thomas born February 19, 1893 and Olive Gertrude Cullen born August 31, 1897. Thomas Cullen passed away on January 20, 1939 and Helena died on July 5, 1942; both are buried in Little Lake Cemetery in Peterborough, Ontario along with Stuart Thomas and Olive Gertrude Cullen.