Private Frederick Cullen
The background of this North Irish Horseman is not known at present. It is possible that he was the Frederick Cullen born on 14 June 1875 at Ballybannon, Downpatrick, County Down, the first or second of seven children of coachman and servant (later gardener) Silvester Cullen and his wife Teresa (née Carey). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living in Clarkill Row, Castlewellan, County Down, with his parents, three siblings and a nephew, and working as a labourer.
Frederick Cullen enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 11 and 30 December 1914 (No.1353). On 1 May 1915 he embarked for France with D Squadron, which at the time was serving as divisional cavalry to the 51st Division. In May 1916 D Squadron came together with A and E Squadrons to form the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to VII, XIX, then V Corps.
On 18 August 1917 Cullen was one of around half a dozen men of the regiment transferred to the Labour Corps (No.388310). He remained with the Labour Corps until 7 April 1919, when he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.