 In anti slave trade operations, Bullen was responsible for freeing almost 10,000 would be slaves before his return home in September 1827.In July 1830, he was appointed a Commissioner of Navy for the Navy Board for Chatham Dockyard and then Pembroke Dockyard before being given command of the Royal Yacht "Royal Sovereign".In 1835, Bullen became a Knight Commander of the Royal Guelphic Order, and was dubbed a Knight Bachelor.