According to Culbertson's family he volunteered in 1914 and was attached to the R.A.M.C. as a stretcher-bearer. He went to France in 1915 (MIC states 3rd December 1915) with the Ulster Division [Medical unit not yet known]. Culbertson is believed to have been present during the Battle of the Somme, when his younger brother Maurice, who had been fighting, was carried in badly wounded and he knelt beside him and comforted him until he was carried away. He thought he would never see him again, however Maurice recovered from his wounds and returned to France before the end of the war. Culbertson gained a commission with the Royal Irish Rifles - the date is still to be confirmed. He was awarded the Military Cross during his service with the Royal Irish Rifles. [Information and photograph kindly provided by Culbertson's daughter-in-law, Margaret Jackson]