Eric Bullen
Lance Corporal Eric Bullen with the Queens Royal Regiment.
Eric Bullen
Recollections of service in the 8th Army in North Africa.
Service with the 8th Army
Like so many, the experience of war changed Eric Bullen’s life forever. Initially a carpenter and joiner and therefore in a reserved occupation, Eric was eventually called up and posted with the 8th Army to North Africa. He describes how he was wounded in action and eventually invalided out of the army. A serious injury to his hand meant he had to change occupation, becoming in his words “an insurance man”.
Comradeship and support
And yet, his injury is merely part of Eric’s account of his war. What resonates is the insight he gives into the comradeship and support networks that existed between the fighting men. We hear of the sheer terror felt by some servicemen and also the tough choices that had to be made. Eric describes how he dealt with “one case of bad nerves” experienced by a young serviceman . I naturally sympathised with him and tried to reassure him but he had me worried. I was afraid of the effect it may have on the rest of the section.”