Thomas Edward Bulch

Thomas Edward Bulch (1862-1930) was the son of Thomas and Margaret Bulch, one of thirteen children. The family lived near Durham in the north of England. Thomas’s father worked for some time as timekeeper at the N.E.R. New Shildon Railway Wagon Works. It there that Thomas became an apprentice Blacksmith by 1881, and by 1884 appears to have progressed to the position of Fitter.

Thomas’ father and uncles were bandsmen in local bands, and his maternal grandfather Francis Dinsdale was the bandmaster of the New Shildon Saxhorn Band. Thomas showed a great aptitude for music in his early years and at age 17, composed his first contest march, “The Typhoon”.

More detailed biographies of George Allen (The Wizard) and Thomas Bulch (The Typhoon) can be found on the website "The Wizard and the Typhoon" <http://www.wizardandtyphoon.org/>. This website sets out the "The Story of Two County Durham Railwaymen and their Global Influence Throughout the Golden Era of Brass Music". The site is operated by and Copyright © 2021 to, Shildon Heritage Alliance CIC. All rights reserved.

In 1884, aged 21, Thomas migrated to Adelaide, Australia, soon traveling on to the Victoria goldfields, where he continued his interest in Brass Band. Here he teamed up with a few compatriots who had also migrated, to form a Brass Band at Creswick, near Ballarat. In 1886/7 Bulch formed “Bulch’s Model Band”, a private band.

Bulch moved to Ballarat (Click here – for a list of known compositions and arrangements)