George William Bullen was born 1892 at Morton Grange, Durham, son of Benjamin Bullen and Margaret Fuller. In the 1911 census the family were living at 13, South Crescent, Fencehouses, Durham. George was working as a coal miner putter.

George joined the Durham Light Infantry, Private 19407 on September 11, 1915. George's brother John (Jack), also joined the Durham Light Infantry.

George and John are the brothers of June Palmer's mother-in-law.