Private Frederick Albert Bussell
Frederick Albert Bussell was born on 10 May 1891 at Toolin, Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh, the seventh of eight children of farmer Thomas Bussell and his wife Margaret Jane (née Leonard). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Toolin with his widowed mother and four siblings and working on the family farm. Two of his brothers had emigrated to Canada.
Bussell enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Lisnaskea on 26 April 1913 (No.847). On 8 August 1914, following the declaration of war, he was mobilised, but in the following months he suffered an injury, breaking some of the finger-bones in his left hand.
The injury was serious enough to cause his discharge on 24 December 1914, being no longer physically fit for military service (paragraph 392 xvi, King's Regulations), and his admission to a military hospital in Belfast for an operation. His military character was recorded as 'very good'.
In August 1917 Bussell wrote to the War Office seeking a Silver War Badge, issued to those discharged due to wounds, injury or illness:
Would you kindly send me a war or discharged badge as I have been discharged from the army as medical unfit for further service. I had also two Brothers killed in action, I want to have something to let the people see that I was in the army. I have enclosed a pension Form as that you will see immediately that I am entitled to a badge.
Although he was initially judged as not eligible, Bussell eventually received his badge. He was also granted a part-pension due to his injury.
On 23 August 1921 he was married, to Mary Nixon.
Bussell's two brothers who had emigrated to Canada also served, and were killed, in the war. Frank died at Ypres on 24 April 1915 while serving with the 15th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. William Robert died on 1 May 1916 while serving with the 14th Battalion.