Overview
H.J. Rous Cullen was born in Liverpool, England on December 5, 1875. He was educated at Queens School in Canterbury England. In 1896 he became a member of the London rifle brigade. He stayed as a member until 1898. He later transferred to the First London Royal Engineers (R.E.) until 1900. Later that year, he joined the 88th field Company, R.E., in South Africa in which he was one of the many participants in the Boer War.[1] One of the major accomplishments of his during the war was that he was able to fix the pumping station at Sannas Post after an attack from the Boers had resulted its destruction. He was also able reorganize the water supply of the Bloemfontein. It was then able to be used for the city and the soldiers that were camping in the neighborhood. Lord Kitchener himself complimented Cullin on his achievement of repairing the pump.[2]
Later on during the war, while at Kanee Siding, he was shot though the leg. This injury denoted him with poor health so he was forced to return to England.
He was able to recover from his injury and in 1905 and became a Captain in the first London R.E.
In 1905, he decided to retire in Canada.
88th Regiment, Victoria Fusiliers
After retiring from the service in 1905, he came to British Columbia, Canada. In 1912 he joined the newly formed 88th regiment of Victoria Fusiliers. In 1914, he was a senior Captain and by this time, it was officially announced that he would be gazetted as Lieutenant- Colonel.
He holds two medals from the Boer War. He received the Queens Medal and he has the King Edward Decoration.
Written by Geoffrey Hendrie and Nathan Waller
References
[1] Senior Officers Have Seen Service. The Daily Colonist, May 16, 1916, Page 5
[2] Saw Service in Africa. The Daily Colonist, September 5, 1915, Page 5