Sapper Douglas Alfred Bullass, 14370562, Royal Engineers

Douglas Alfred Bullass was born on 28 June, 1924, at Thingoe, near Ixworth, in Suffolk, the youngest of three known sons to John Bullass, a road labourer, and Bessie May Bullass (formerly Crosby).

He had two elder brothers: John F. (1921); and Stanley C. (1922). 

By 1939 the family was living at Stow Lane, in Thingoe. Douglas was unmarried.

Douglas Alfred Bullass enlisted on 3 December, 1942, as a sapper in the Royal Engineers. no. 14370562.

He served with the Headquarters, Middle East, before transferring to serve in North West Europe.

On 26 February, 1945, he was admitted to Leicester Royal Infirmary, with ulcers to his left eye.

On 12 March, 1945, he was transferred to Addenbrookes Hospital, in Cambridge, and four days later he was transferred to Leys School, in Cambridge.

On 26 March, 1945, he reported to TTCRE, at Longmore. However, on 19 July, 1945, he was admitted to the Military Hospital, at Catterick Camp suffering from conjunctivitis.

He was transferred to Myton Hall BRCS, at Helperby, in Yorkshire, on 24 August, 1945, where he stayed until 15 September, 1945, when he was discharged to the Reception Centre, Halifax.

Having returned home Douglas Alfred Bullass was taken ill once more, and admitted to the West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, suffering from gangrenous tonsillitis.

It was there, on Thursday, 8 August, 1946, that he died, toxaemia; acute sceptic tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess. He was aged 22.

Douglas Alfred Bullass lies buried in Ixworth Cemetery, in Suffolk, with his grave marked by a private memorial. He is also commemorated on the Ixworth war memorial at the entrance to the parish churchyard.