The Reverend H.Davis Bull

Congregational Minister

H Davis Bull was my maternal grandfather. He was born in Stepney 1859 and on leaving school trained as a boot maker, but soon decided he wanted to go into the ministry, and he trained for this first at the Hackney Congregation College and then at the Nottingham College. His first appointment as a Minister was at Ballymena, Northern Island where he was married to Grace. Various family records show that he then moved to Goodmayes, London.  In 1907, after 9 years, he left a Congregational church in Greys.  In 1914, he was at a church in Newport, Essex. My Mother was in the Land Army during this time, working at a farm in a nearby village Wicken Bonhunt. On his retirement he moved to Hadleigh; living in “Resthaven” No.5 Elm Road. His near neighbours were Mr. & Mrs Whitty and their daughter Rene, who are well known for their work with the church in Hadleigh,  Mr Whitty being choir master and Rene organist. Although Mr Bull was retired, he and his wife did a lot of work for the Hadleigh Congregational Church, helping out with services and the Cub pack of which I was a member in about 1931. Cub and Scout meetings were held in the wooden hall to the west of the church. He officiated at my parent’s wedding, his daughter Doris to Leslie Hawks at Hadleigh Congregational Church (now United Reformed Church.)

He baptised me at home in 1923.

He died 1934 and is buried in a family grave in Manor Park London cemetery.

Rev.Henry Davis Bull.
Ian Hawks
Mrs. and Rev H.Davis Bull.
Ian Hawks
Their first car, about 1920.
Ian Hawks
Baptismal Certificate
Ian Hawks
Doris Hawks née Bull 1914
Ian Hawks
Leslie & Doris Hawks 1921
Ian Hawks

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  • Hi there, I have 2 paintings done in 1907 and signed by H. Davis Bull. I am trying to find out about the artist. Could it be your relative? The paintings are a pair of still lifes. My grandfather brought them over to New Zealand with him as gifts for my parents when he visited many years ago. He lived in Westcliff on Sea, Essex. Kind regards, Annie

    By Annie Christie (25/03/2013)
  • Henry Davis Bull dabbled in painting in his early years and his brother was an artist. I do not remember his name but Davis was a family name.  He did immigrate to Australia. It looks as if there could be a connection. Would it be possible to send me photos of the paintings?

    By Ian Hawks (25/03/2013)
  • Please add to my comment. Would it be possible to send me photos of the paintings?  ian.hawks@googlemail.com

    By Ian Hawks (25/03/2013)

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