Born in Burnley. One of Exeter City’s first professionals joining from Macclesfield in 1908. Appeared in the club’s first Southern League game against Millwall in September but, after playing 23 league games, moved on to Crystal Palace in 1909 from where was transferred to Swansea Town in 1914. 

Enlisted in the Welsh Regiment (Service Number 63064) in December 1915 and served in the regiment’s 9th (Service) Battalion. Sent to France in September 1917 and fought in the Fourth Battle of Ypres (also known as the Battle of the Lys) which commenced on 9 April 1918. He was to die of his wounds at the 36th Casualty Clearing Station in Watten, France on April 20 1918 aged 29. 

He is buried in Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery in West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (where 806 casualties are remembered). Cemetery/Memorial reference V.C.21.77. Commemorated at Burnley FC, a few hundred yards from where he lived as a child.  

For more about Joe Bulcock’s playing career see his entry in the A to Z of Exeter City players section of the Archive