Private Edward Cullen.
10909 2nd East Lancashire Regiment.
Killed in Action 9th May 1915, aged 17.
Edward was born 11 Sept 1897 and baptised in ST Mary’s Church 19th Sept 1897, the son of William Cullen and Mary Wright, living at Salmon St, Burnley.
In the 1911 census the family was living at 14 South St, Burnley. William 44 labourer, born in Burnley, Mary cotton winder, born in Bradford, John 14, Edward 13, Margaret ann 11, Thomas 9, William 4, Mary 5, Agnes 1 and Margaret Wright 70. William and Mary had been married 19 years and had 7 children all surviving and born in Burnley.
From the Burnley News dated 20th February 1915: ROLL OF HONOUR.- BURNLEY MEN SERVING THEIR COUNTRY. - PROUD RECORD FOR ST MARY'S CHURCH. - (SECOND INSTALMENT)
We are publishing the second instalment of the Roll of Honour of men associated with the various churches in the town who have joined one or other of the branches of His Majesty's forces, we desire to thank the clergy and superintendence of the different denominations for their hearty cooperation in the compilation of the lists. We have received quite a number of letters expressing pleasure at the publications of the names of the men connected with the churches who have answered the country's call and it will be our endeavour to make the roll of honour as complete as possible. We have already in hand a very large proportion of church Returns, but there are a few not yet to hand, and we asked those in charge of lists not yet received to facilitate their completion. This week's the space allocated to the roll of honour is monopolized by the names of men connected with St Mary's Church Comber Yorkshire Street, who are now serving with the colours. A list of such abnormal proportions reflects great credit on St Mary's Parish and the town in general.
ST MARY'S.
Edward Cullen is listed on the Roll of Honour.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 24 July 1915: LOCAL WAR ITEMS.
Corporal E Cullen 10909, of South Street Burnley, and Private W Preston 6570 of Roper Street Burnley, both of the 2nd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, who were previously reported wounded, are now reported wounded and missing.
From The Express and advertiser dated 25th August 1915: OF A FIGHTING FAMILY.- BURNLEY CORPORALS DEATH.
After being reported wounded and missing since early this year, news has been received from the authorities that corporal E.G. Cullen 10909, of the first East Lancashire was killed in action on May 9th.Corporal Cullen who was in the regulars comes of a fighting family. His father resides in South Street Burnley, and there is a second Son with the Army Service Corps, while an uncle and two cousins are also doing their bit. The uncle Private Thomas Cullen of Manchester Road, who is on guard duty, being the possessor of two South African medals. Corporal E G Cullen a portrait of whom we are unable to obtain was home on furlough at the beginning of the Year, suffering from frostbite contracted shortly after entering the trenches.
Edward left his effects to his father William.
Lived at 14 South Street
Edward is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium: Panels 5 & 6.