Walter Pell Bulkley
Early Life
Walter Pell Bulkley was born on July 11, 1893, in Rye, New York, the son of Josiah W. Bulkley and Margaret Tyler. He was raised in Rye in a large family with deep local roots, residing at 448 Forest Avenue and remaining closely tied to the community throughout his early life.
At the time of his draft registration in June 1917, Bulkley was employed in real estate with the firm of Harriott & Buckley in Rye. His work placed him within the growing property and development sector during a period of suburban expansion in Westchester County.
World War I Service
Walter P. Bulkley entered military service on October 8, 1917, when he was inducted through Local Board No. 6 in Westchester County, New York. He was assigned to Headquarters Company, 302nd Engineers, a unit of the 77th Division, which served as part of the American Expeditionary Forces.
The 302nd Engineers performed essential combat engineering duties, including the construction and repair of roads, bridges, and trenches, as well as maintaining vital supply routes under fire. These responsibilities were critical to sustaining the mobility and effectiveness of American forces on the Western Front.
Bulkley served overseas from March 29, 1918, to May 2, 1919, participating in the major campaigns of the division during the final phases of the war, including the Meuse-Argonne Offensive—one of the largest and most decisive American operations of the conflict.
In a letter written from Chaumont (Haute-Marne), France, on January 26, 1919, Bulkley offered a rare personal glimpse into his wartime experiences. While he had previously avoided describing the dangers he faced, he recounted the intensity of the Argonne fighting, where the “old Seventy-Seventh Division was always in the center” during successive advances. He described the constant shellfire and the strain of moving forward under hazardous conditions, noting that in one particularly hard-fought town, shells “were coming over like rain” as his unit advanced along shattered roads.
Serving with the officers’ baggage train, Bulkley was nevertheless exposed to the full dangers of the front. He recalled moving through devastated terrain strewn with dead horses and soldiers, and witnessing the aftermath of explosions that left scenes too grim, in his words, “to talk about.” Like many soldiers, he reflected that what initially seemed unbearable gradually became an accepted part of daily existence at the front.
Despite these conditions, Bulkley continued his duties without being wounded in action. His service reflects both the indispensable role of engineer units and the endurance required of those who operated just behind—and often within—the front lines.
He was honorably discharged on May 10, 1919, following his return from overseas service.
Life After Service
Following the war, Bulkley returned to Rye, where he spent the remainder of his life. He worked as a carpenter, building a long career in the skilled trades and contributing to the local economy.
He married Matilda Himple, and together they had one son, Walter P. Bulkley Jr. The family resided in Rye, including later at 51 Bulkley Manor.
Bulkley was active in the community, including membership in Christ’s Church in Rye, as well as local organizations such as the Rye Fish and Game Club and the Chestnut Ridge Rod and Gun Club.
Walter Pell Bulkley died on April 20, 1961, at United Hospital in Port Chester, New York, at the age of sixty-seven.
At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Matilda Bulkley; his son, Walter P. Bulkley Jr. of Levittown, Long Island; his brothers, William and Joseph Bulkley; his sisters, Mrs. Emily DeForest, Miss Margaret Bulkley, Mrs. Benjamin I. Taylor Sr., Mrs. Irving Peoples, and Mrs. Gilbert Hoyt; and two grandchildren.
He was buried locally, concluding a life defined by military service, skilled labor, and deep ties to the Rye community.