Cullis, HT

2nd Lieutenant Henry Thoreau Cullis

Born on May 8th 1880, Henry was the eldest child of Thomas and Sarah Cullis. During his time at Dulwich he was heavily involved in The Alleynian, serving as editor during his final two years, whilst also being a not undistinguished sportsman — in his final year he was a member of the 2nd XV and also won the steeple chase. Two of his younger brothers, Geoffrey and Colin, would go on to follow his path by attending the College. After leaving he went up to New College, Oxford, on a classical scholarship, leaving in the summer of 1903 having attained a First Class in Honour Moderations and a Second Class in Literae Humaniores. From there he entered the Indian Civil Service, and was assigned to Bengal. He began to rise through the ranks in his new career, in 1910 being appointed Under Secretary to the Government of Bengal for the Revenue, Political and Appointments departments, before going on to become a registrar of the High Court of Calcutta and eventually a Deputy Secretary in the Legislative Department of the Government of India; during this period he was also heavily involved in arrangements for the Bengal leg of the Royal tour of India in 1912.
In April 1915, whilst back in England on leave, he applied for a commission, and was granted one with the 15th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade. In October Henry was sent to France for the first time, being attached to the 12th Battalion, and was slightly wounded later that month. On December 10th, having not long re-joined his unit, he was involved in the fighting near Armentieres when he was killed in action, aged 35.