Henry Bullard
From Sawiki
When Henry Bullard sat in the bible class at Leamington in Warwickshire, he never dreamed that his life would be packed so full of adventure.
On the arrival of the Salvation Army to the local town, he managed to enter the building in which the opening meeting was being prepared, and found himself the subject of a vigorous bombardment on the part of the Salvationists.
During the night of spiritual wrestling which followed, he became converted in his own bedroom. He felt that he ought to confess God publicly, so in the first meeting led in Leamington by Commissioner Elijah Cadman, Henry Bullard knelt at the Mercy Seat. He became a Soldier immediately and was accepted as a candidate in 1880 and was appointed to Attercliffe after commissioning.
During his following appointments he was subjected to extreme poverty, riots, bitter antagonism and imprisonment. Whilst at Grantham he received a telegram asking him to consider an appointment in India. He readily agreed, and was sent to Camberwell to join Major (afterward Commissioner) Frederick Booth-Tucker, who was there gaining field experience.
In August, 1882, a missionary party, including Major Tucker and Captain Bullard, sailed for India. They wore semi-native clothing consisting of white suits, long coats, turbans and boots. Prior to their arrival, the Press had urged the Government to prohibit their landing, and aroused such interest that a large force of police and crowds of people were on the wharves to see the invading Army come ashore. When the officials saw four inoffensive missionaries, they let them pass.
The playing of musical instruments was forbidden, but at the end of a long sustained contest, skilfully fought, freedom to use instruments on the march was secured for the whole of India.
However, the struggle was not gained without hardship; During his first year in India he travelled 17,000 miles, and was associated with many of the heroic early day Salvation endeavours. He visited Ceylon in 1883 and in 1884 he was married to Captain Selina Roffey, who was promoted to Glory in 1944. Theirs was the first Army wedding to take place in India.
It was at this time that Captain Bullard ceased to wear boots - his last link with European dress. He and others felt. that to meet the needs of the day, they should fully adopt the life of the Indian people.
From Bombay (as Major Bullard), the Commissioner was transferred to International Headquarters, and after seven years he returned to India as Travelling Secretary and later as Territorial Commander for the Northern Territory.
During his command of The Army in Japan a great campaign to bring freedom to girls held under the Yoshiwara system attracted world-wide attention. His work and influence there were of such a character that his name was placed by an influential committee amongst the 'benefactors of modern Japan'.
The Commissioner visited several countries before be was appointed to the Command of the West Indies. Following that he served as Territorial Commander for India Northern Territory, and then for a second time was appointed to the Command of the West Indies until the Territory was subdivided.
Eventually, Commissioner and Mrs Bullard returned to England owing to the impaired health of Mrs Bullard. The Commissioner undertook many important tasks, including the temporary command of British East Africa and Secretary for Emigration in 1922. After forty-six years Officership he retired from active Service in 1926. Henry Bullard was promoted to Glory in 1946.
