Arthur Percy Sullivan
Encyclopedia
Arthur Percy Sullivan VC
(27 November 1896 – 9 April 1937) was a banker, soldier, and an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
and Commonwealth
forces.
, South Australia
, the son of Arthur Monks Sullivan, a storekeeper, and his wife Eliza, (née Dobbs). He was educated at Crystal Brook Public School and Gladstone High School
. After completing his education in 1913, he was offered an apprenticeship in the same year at the National Bank of Australasia
in Gladstone
. Shortly after he was transferred to Broken Hill
, New South Wales
, before returning to Maitland
in his home state of South Australia
.
of the First Australian Imperial Force
on 27 April 1918, and embarked for Europe
in July 1918 as general reinforcements. Upon arriving in Europe, Sullivan transferred to the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery
on 5 October 1918, but the war in Europe
ended on 11 November 1918, and Sullivan saw no action.
He was promoted to corporal on 23 May 1919, and joined the North Russia Relief Force
on 28 May 1919, being officially discharged from the AIF
at the same time. For the Russian campaign he was enlisted into LW de V. Sadlier-Jackson's 45th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers, of the British Army
.
The relief force landed at Archangel on 5 June 1919, and began to deploy immediately, in the process relieving the original expeditionary force which had been in Russia
since 1918. By July 1919, 45th Battalion had moved 240 kilometres (149.1 mi) towards the front line.
On 10 August 1919, they had arrived at the Dvina front in northern Russia
, where Sullivan's brigade
were to launch an attack to aid the evacuation of the last remaining members of the 1918 expeditionary force, boost the morale of the White Russians
, and harass and disrupt the Bolshevik
positions. The attack was a great success with very few British casualties.
Despite the overall success of the attack, Sullivan's platoon
was cut off from the rest of the brigade
as they fought a rearguard covering action. In the course of fighting their way back to their own lines, Sullivan's platoon came under heavy fire whilst trying to traverse the Sheika River, which they had to cross by means of a narrow plank, and during the passage an officer and three men fell into a deep swamp. Without hesitation, Corporal Sullivan, under heavy fire, jumped into the river and rescued all four, bringing them out singly.
The Bolsheviks turned their fire intensely upon Sullivan, but he was able to complete the rescue. But for this daring action, the men would undoubtedly have drowned, as all ranks were exhausted and the enemy was less than 100 yards (91.4 m) away. For this act of gallantry in the face of the enemy, Arthur Sullivan was nominated for the award of the Victoria Cross
.
The evacuation of all forces was completed by late September 1919, and the North Russia Relief Force
was demobilised upon their return to England
.
Sullivan wished to return to Australia
immediately without waiting for his investiture from King George V
. It has been suggested that he was embarrassed at the prospect of meeting the King. He left England
on 1 November 1919.
He was presented with his Victoria Cross
in Adelaide on 12 July 1920 by Edward
, the Prince of Wales
during his royal tour of Australia
, who smiled at Sullivan, and quipped "Aren't you the man who ran away from father?"
Arthur Sullivan was a very popular man, and was known as the "Shy VC". Upon his return to Australia
, he resumed his former employment with the National Bank of Australasia
.
He was married to Dorothy Frances Veale at an Anglican church in Fairfield
, Victoria, on 5 December 1928, and in 1929 he transferred to the head office of the National Bank of Australasia
in Sydney where he and Dorothy were to live happily for five years. During this time they had three children, two of whom were twins.
In 1934, Sullivan was made the manager of the Casino
branch of the National Bank of Australasia
. As a Victoria Cross
recipient, Sullivan was selected to join the Australian contingent to attend the coronation
of King George VI. He was also chosen to return the remains of British soldier Sergeant Arthur Evans
, VC, who had died in Australia.
On 9 April 1937, 11 days after ceremonially handing over Evan's ashes and 34 days before King George VI's coronation, Arthur Sullivan died when he was returning to his accommodation and accidentally slipped in Birdcage Walk
, Westminster
, near the Wellington Barracks, and struck his head against the kerb. He was taken immediately to hospital, but died soon after from the severity of the head injuries he had sustained.
Arthur Sullivan was afforded a full military funeral in London where the Australian contingent's salute volley was respectfully returned by the Foot Guards
. He was cremated in London and his ashes were returned to Sydney and interred at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium.
In 1939 a plaque was placed upon the iron railings of Wellington Barracks in his honour. It features the second version of the Australian Army's Rising Sun badge
, 4 decorative Victoria Cross
es in each corner, a twisted vine of leaves, and reads:
"To The Glory Of God And In Ever Living Memory Of Gnr. Arthur P. Sullivan. V.C. Who was accidentally killed on April 9th 1937 whilst serving as a representative of his country at the coronation of H.M.King George VI. THIS TABLET WAS ERECTED BY HIS COMRADES OF THE AUSTRALIAN CORONATION CONTINGENT 1939."
His wife Dorothy died in 1980 and left his Victoria Cross
to the Australian War Memorial
in Canberra
, where it is displayed in the Hall of Valour.
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
(27 November 1896 – 9 April 1937) was a banker, soldier, and an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces.
Early life
Arthur Percy Sullivan was born on 27 November 1896, at Crystal BrookCrystal Brook, South Australia
Crystal Brook is a town in South Australia, named after the spring-fed creek next to which it was founded. It is north of Adelaide and in 2006 had a population of 1,185.Crystal Brook is situated on Goyder's Line near the border of two climate systems...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, the son of Arthur Monks Sullivan, a storekeeper, and his wife Eliza, (née Dobbs). He was educated at Crystal Brook Public School and Gladstone High School
Gladstone High School
Gladstone High School may refer to one of several high schools in the United States:*Gladstone High School — Covina, California*Gladstone High School — Gladstone, Michigan...
. After completing his education in 1913, he was offered an apprenticeship in the same year at the National Bank of Australasia
National Australia Bank
National Australia Bank is one of the four largest financial institutions in Australia in terms of market capitalisation and customers. NAB is ranked 17th largest bank in the world measured by market capitalisation...
in Gladstone
Gladstone, South Australia
Gladstone is a small rural town in the Mid North of South Australia in the approach to the lower Flinders Ranges. At the 2006 census, Gladstone had a population of 629....
. Shortly after he was transferred to Broken Hill
Broken Hill, New South Wales
-Geology:Broken Hill's massive orebody, which formed about 1,800 million years ago, has proved to be among the world's largest silver-lead-zinc mineral deposits. The orebody is shaped like a boomerang plunging into the earth at its ends and outcropping in the centre. The protruding tip of the...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, before returning to Maitland
Maitland, South Australia
Maitland is a town in South Australia located 168 km west of Adelaide by road, 164 km south of Port Pirie and 46 km north of Minlaton known as the "heart of Yorke Peninsula" due to being near the center of the region...
in his home state of South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
.
Military service
Sullivan enlisted as a volunteer private in 10th BattalionAustralian 10th Battalion
The 10th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army, which served as part of the Australian Imperial Force during World War I. The battalion was completely recruited from South Australia in August 1914 and together with the 9th, 11th and 12th Battalions, it formed part of the 3rd...
of the First Australian Imperial Force
First Australian Imperial Force
The First Australian Imperial Force was the main expeditionary force of the Australian Army during World War I. It was formed from 15 August 1914, following Britain's declaration of war on Germany. Generally known at the time as the AIF, it is today referred to as the 1st AIF to distinguish from...
on 27 April 1918, and embarked for Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in July 1918 as general reinforcements. Upon arriving in Europe, Sullivan transferred to the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery
Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery, normally referred to as the Royal Australian Artillery , is a corps of the Australian Army descended from the original colonial artillery units prior to Australia's federation...
on 5 October 1918, but the war in Europe
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
ended on 11 November 1918, and Sullivan saw no action.
He was promoted to corporal on 23 May 1919, and joined the North Russia Relief Force
Allied Intervention in the Russian Civil War
The Allied intervention was a multi-national military expedition launched in 1918 during World War I which continued into the Russian Civil War. Its operations included forces from 14 nations and were conducted over a vast territory...
on 28 May 1919, being officially discharged from the AIF
First Australian Imperial Force
The First Australian Imperial Force was the main expeditionary force of the Australian Army during World War I. It was formed from 15 August 1914, following Britain's declaration of war on Germany. Generally known at the time as the AIF, it is today referred to as the 1st AIF to distinguish from...
at the same time. For the Russian campaign he was enlisted into LW de V. Sadlier-Jackson's 45th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers, of the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
.
The relief force landed at Archangel on 5 June 1919, and began to deploy immediately, in the process relieving the original expeditionary force which had been in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
since 1918. By July 1919, 45th Battalion had moved 240 kilometres (149.1 mi) towards the front line.
On 10 August 1919, they had arrived at the Dvina front in northern Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, where Sullivan's brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
were to launch an attack to aid the evacuation of the last remaining members of the 1918 expeditionary force, boost the morale of the White Russians
White movement
The White movement and its military arm the White Army - known as the White Guard or the Whites - was a loose confederation of Anti-Communist forces.The movement comprised one of the politico-military Russian forces who fought...
, and harass and disrupt the Bolshevik
Bolshevik
The Bolsheviks, originally also Bolshevists , derived from bol'shinstvo, "majority") were a faction of the Marxist Russian Social Democratic Labour Party which split apart from the Menshevik faction at the Second Party Congress in 1903....
positions. The attack was a great success with very few British casualties.
Despite the overall success of the attack, Sullivan's platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
was cut off from the rest of the brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
as they fought a rearguard covering action. In the course of fighting their way back to their own lines, Sullivan's platoon came under heavy fire whilst trying to traverse the Sheika River, which they had to cross by means of a narrow plank, and during the passage an officer and three men fell into a deep swamp. Without hesitation, Corporal Sullivan, under heavy fire, jumped into the river and rescued all four, bringing them out singly.
The Bolsheviks turned their fire intensely upon Sullivan, but he was able to complete the rescue. But for this daring action, the men would undoubtedly have drowned, as all ranks were exhausted and the enemy was less than 100 yards (91.4 m) away. For this act of gallantry in the face of the enemy, Arthur Sullivan was nominated for the award of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
.
The evacuation of all forces was completed by late September 1919, and the North Russia Relief Force
Allied Intervention in the Russian Civil War
The Allied intervention was a multi-national military expedition launched in 1918 during World War I which continued into the Russian Civil War. Its operations included forces from 14 nations and were conducted over a vast territory...
was demobilised upon their return to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Sullivan wished to return to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
immediately without waiting for his investiture from King George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
. It has been suggested that he was embarrassed at the prospect of meeting the King. He left England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on 1 November 1919.
He was presented with his Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
in Adelaide on 12 July 1920 by Edward
Edward VIII of the United Kingdom
Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...
, the Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
during his royal tour of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, who smiled at Sullivan, and quipped "Aren't you the man who ran away from father?"
Later life
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, he resumed his former employment with the National Bank of Australasia
National Australia Bank
National Australia Bank is one of the four largest financial institutions in Australia in terms of market capitalisation and customers. NAB is ranked 17th largest bank in the world measured by market capitalisation...
.
He was married to Dorothy Frances Veale at an Anglican church in Fairfield
Fairfield, Victoria
Fairfield is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 6 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area are the Cities of Darebin and Yarra...
, Victoria, on 5 December 1928, and in 1929 he transferred to the head office of the National Bank of Australasia
National Australia Bank
National Australia Bank is one of the four largest financial institutions in Australia in terms of market capitalisation and customers. NAB is ranked 17th largest bank in the world measured by market capitalisation...
in Sydney where he and Dorothy were to live happily for five years. During this time they had three children, two of whom were twins.
In 1934, Sullivan was made the manager of the Casino
Casino, New South Wales
Casino is a town in the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales, Australia, with a population of 9,400 people . It lies on the banks of the Richmond River and is situated at the junction of the Bruxner Highway and the Summerland Way....
branch of the National Bank of Australasia
National Australia Bank
National Australia Bank is one of the four largest financial institutions in Australia in terms of market capitalisation and customers. NAB is ranked 17th largest bank in the world measured by market capitalisation...
. As a Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
recipient, Sullivan was selected to join the Australian contingent to attend the coronation
Coronation
A coronation is a ceremony marking the formal investiture of a monarch and/or their consort with regal power, usually involving the placement of a crown upon their head and the presentation of other items of regalia...
of King George VI. He was also chosen to return the remains of British soldier Sergeant Arthur Evans
Arthur Evans (VC)
Arthur Walter Evans VC, DCM , was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:Evans was 27 years old, and a lance-sergeant in the 6th Battalion, The...
, VC, who had died in Australia.
On 9 April 1937, 11 days after ceremonially handing over Evan's ashes and 34 days before King George VI's coronation, Arthur Sullivan died when he was returning to his accommodation and accidentally slipped in Birdcage Walk
Birdcage Walk
Birdcage Walk is a street in London, United Kingdom, in the City of Westminster. It runs east-west as a continuation of Great George Street, from the crossroads with Horse Guards Road and Storey's Gate, with the Treasury building on the north east corner, to a junction with Buckingham Gate, at the...
, Westminster
City of Westminster
The City of Westminster is a London borough occupying much of the central area of London, England, including most of the West End. It is located to the west of and adjoining the ancient City of London, directly to the east of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and its southern boundary...
, near the Wellington Barracks, and struck his head against the kerb. He was taken immediately to hospital, but died soon after from the severity of the head injuries he had sustained.
Arthur Sullivan was afforded a full military funeral in London where the Australian contingent's salute volley was respectfully returned by the Foot Guards
Foot Guards
-British Army:The Foot Guards are the Regular Infantry regiments of the Household Division of the British Army. There have been six regiments of foot guards, five of which still exist. The Royal Guards Reserve Regiment was a reserve formation of the Household Brigade in existence from 1900-1901...
. He was cremated in London and his ashes were returned to Sydney and interred at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium.
In 1939 a plaque was placed upon the iron railings of Wellington Barracks in his honour. It features the second version of the Australian Army's Rising Sun badge
Rising Sun (badge)
The Rising Sun badge, also known as the General Service Badge or the Australian Army Badge, is the official insignia of the Australian Army. The badge is worn on the brim of a slouch hat or the front of a peaked cap and is readily identified with the spirit of ANZAC, the legend of the Australian...
, 4 decorative Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
es in each corner, a twisted vine of leaves, and reads:
"To The Glory Of God And In Ever Living Memory Of Gnr. Arthur P. Sullivan. V.C. Who was accidentally killed on April 9th 1937 whilst serving as a representative of his country at the coronation of H.M.King George VI. THIS TABLET WAS ERECTED BY HIS COMRADES OF THE AUSTRALIAN CORONATION CONTINGENT 1939."
His wife Dorothy died in 1980 and left his Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
to the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial is Australia's national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in the wars of the Commonwealth of Australia...
in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, where it is displayed in the Hall of Valour.