Arthur Percy Sullivan

Corporal, 45th Battalion. Royal Fusiliers

Register No.: 1194 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
Rank: Corporal all Corporals →
Unit: 45th Battalion. Royal Fusiliers all Royal Fusiliers VCs →
Date of action: 10 August 1919 on this day → all of 1919 →
Conflict / campaign: North Russia Relief Force
London Gazette: 29th September 1919 on this day → all of 1919 →
Born: 27th November 1896 at Crystal Brook, South Australia
Died: 9th April 1937 at Westminster, London
Memorial / grave: Cremated, in London, prior to his Ashes being interred at Sydney, New South Wales. Also a tribute on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
Medal held by: the Australian War Memorial, Canberra,

Digest of citation

Corporal Sullivan's Platoon, after fighting a rearguard covering action, on 10th August 1919, at Sheiks River, North Russia, had to cross the river by means of a narrow plank. Whilst crossing, four men, including an officer, fell, landing in a deep swamp. Without hesitating, and under extreme fire from the enemy, Corporal Sullivan jumped into the river, and rescuing them one by one, saved them all. Had it not been for his prompt and gallant action, all four men would have drowned, as they were all exhausted and the enemy less than 100 yards away

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

SULLIVAN, Arthur Percy. (reg No. 1194).

Corporal. 45th Battalion. Royal Fusiliers.

London Gazetted on 29th September 1919.

VC Medal's Custodian is the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.

Born on 27th November 1896 at Crystal Brook, South Australia.

Died on 9th April 1937 at Westminster, London. Cremated, in London, prior to his Ashes being interred at Sydney, New South Wales. Also a tribute on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia.

Digest of Citation reads: Corporal Sullivan's Platoon, after fighting a rearguard covering action, on 10th August 1919, at Sheiks River, North Russia, had to cross the river by means of a narrow plank. Whilst crossing, four men, including an officer, fell, landing in a deep swamp. Without hesitating, and under extreme fire from the enemy, Corporal Sullivan jumped into the river, and rescuing them one by one, saved them all. Had it not been for his prompt and gallant action, all four men would have drowned, as they were all exhausted and the enemy less than 100 yards away.

Australia.

Visit the grave or memorial

Alf recorded the memorial as: Cremated, in London, prior to his Ashes being interred at Sydney, New South Wales. Also a tribute on the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia

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