John Bullen was born 1891 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. John was working as a coal miner putter.

John joined the Durham Light Infantry. John's brother George also joined the Durham Light Infantry.

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