Arthur Sullivan (Australian soldier)

Arthur Percy Sullivan
Born	(1896-11-27) 27 November 1896 South Australia, Australia
Died	9 April 1937(1937-04-09) (aged 40) London, England
Occupation(s)	Bank clerk, soldier
Known for	Awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery during the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War

Arthur Percy Sullivan VC (27 November 1896 – 9 April 1937) was an Australian awarded the Victoria Cross, the most prestigious decoration for bravery within the British Armed Forces. Born in South Australia, Sullivan initially worked at the National Bank of Australasia before enlisting in the AIF in April 1918 during World War I. He reached the United Kingdom but had not completed his training when the Armistice was declared on 11 November. Elevated to the rank of corporal in March 1919, he applied for discharge on 28 May to join the British Army's North Russia Relief Force, part of the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War.

Deployed to northern Russia, Sullivan participated in a rearguard action crossing the Sheika River on 11 August 1919 under intense fire from Bolshevik forces. When four soldiers fell into the river, he dived in and saved them all, an act which earned him the VC. Following demobilisation, he returned to Australia and resumed his banking profession. Sullivan passed away in London in 1937 due to head injuries sustained from a fall while attending the coronation of King George VI as a member of the Australian Coronation Contingent. His medals are preserved at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Early life

Arthur Percy Sullivan was born on 27 November 1896, either at Prospect or Crystal Brook in South Australia, as the sole child of Arthur Monks Sullivan, a shopkeeper, and Eliza Dobbs. He attended Crystal Brook Public School and later Gladstone High School, where he served as school captain and was editor of the school magazine. Sullivan also demonstrated notable skill in Australian rules football.

After completing his schooling in 1913, he began working as a clerk for the National Bank of Australasia in Gladstone. At 17 years old during the outbreak of World War I, he wished to enlist but was unable to obtain parental permission. In 1915, he earned a promotion and transferred to Broken Hill as ledger keeper, followed by a move to Maitland in 1916 as a teller. In Maitland, he participated actively in local sports and held the position of secretary for the Maitland Patriotic Society, organizing support events for enlisted servicemen. Upon reaching age 20, his parents consented to his enlistment; however, he did not immediately join the military.

World War I

Sullivan enlisted as a private in the Australian Imperial Force on 27 April 1918 during a fundraising event held in Port Pirie. After undergoing initial training at Mitcham Camp near Adelaide from May to June, he embarked aboard HMAT A74 Marathon in July bound for the United Kingdom. Arriving in September, he was briefly assigned to the 10th Battalion before transferring to artillery training at Heytesbury. The Armistice on 11 November 1918 occurred while he remained in training; consequently, he did not engage in combat during World War I.

Russia

While stationed at Heytesbury, Sullivan contracted gonorrhea and was hospitalized at Bulford Camp from 25 November 1918 until 11 March 1919. Following his release, he was posted to a training battalion at Codford, promoted to acting corporal on 23 March, and served as camp orderly room corporal. Keen to see active service, he volunteered for duty with the North Russia Relief Force (NRRF), part of the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War, which aimed to oppose Bolshevik forces after their 1917 revolution and subsequent peace with the Central Powers. Although no formal Australian unit joined the NRRF, recruitment focused on Australians based in Britain. Sullivan enlisted on 28 May 1919 into the British Army as a corporal; attracted by better pay and adventure opportunities despite conditions requiring single Australians to relinquish repatriation rights.

The NRRF consisted of roughly 8,000 personnel, including about 150 Australians awaiting repatriation. Sullivan joined the 45th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers (45th RF), commanded by Brigadier General Lionel Sadleir-Jackson. Australians retained their national uniforms adorned with NRRF colour patches. The commanding officer of the 45th RF was Lieutenant Colonel Charles Davies, an Australian veteran from service on the Western Front. Australian volunteers for NRRF were primarily concentrated within the 45th RF and the Machine Gun Corps' 201st Company. They underwent training at Sandling camp in Kent prior to deployment.

Sullivan departed from Leith aboard the cargo vessel Steigerwald on 9 June and arrived at Archangel on 20 June after transiting via Murmansk. An advance group of fifty men proceeded upriver to Pinega aiming to quell disturbances but encountered no hostilities. They then regrouped at Osinovo, situated approximately behind frontline positions near Seltso, where about 4,000 troops were encamped undergoing rigorous training. British naval monitors and gunboats patrolled nearby river waters. The main body of NRRF troops reached Archangel on 11 July amidst mutinies within British-led White Russian battalions. Bolshevik forces maintained a fortified defensive line roughly south of Osinovo.

Dvina offensive

In August, the NRRF received orders to advance approximately 150 miles along the Dvina River to engage Bolshevik forces. The operation involved around 4,000 NRRF soldiers, supported by a river flotilla, artillery units, and aircraft, confronting an estimated 6,000 Bolshevik troops from the 3rd Brigade of the 18th Division. D Company of the 45th RF, which included Sullivan and roughly 20 Australian soldiers, was assigned to move down the western bank of the Dvina with the objective of seizing Sludka and Lipovets from behind enemy lines. The column was equipped with machine guns, mortars, mountain artillery, and cavalry elements. On 7 August, they crossed over to Yakovlevskoye and then undertook a challenging approach march of nearly 50 kilometers through thick forest terrain to launch their attack at midday on 10 August. The offensive sought to demoralize Bolshevik forces, drive back their river flotilla to enable mine deployment prior to British withdrawal, and uplift anti-Bolshevik spirits.

Sludka was initially targeted for capture; however, a swampy area obstructed a direct assault. Consequently, the column redirected its attack towards Kochamika on 10 August following preparatory artillery and aerial bombardments. With bayonets fixed, D Company quickly overwhelmed the Bolshevik defenders but soon came under fire from Bolshevik river vessels after securing the village. They proceeded northward, taking several small settlements and prisoners; unfortunately, D Company’s commander was killed by fire from a river gunboat. After consolidating control of Sludka and linking up with A Company at Lipovets—who had already secured that village—the combined force planned to rejoin other columns advancing on Seltso. However, Bolshevik forces landed approximately 100 sailors between the columns, effectively cutting them off. Facing dwindling ammunition and the loss of their leader, officers opted to break out rather than continue toward Seltso. Their progress was hampered by wounded soldiers, over 500 prisoners of war in tow, and local civilians compelled to accompany them. Sullivan’s 16 Platoon provided rear-guard protection during this withdrawal.

Around 02:30 on 11 August, after covering about 20 kilometers in eight hours, the column crossed the Sheika River using a makeshift plank bridge. Sullivan’s platoon secured the near bank while enemy rifle and machine-gun fire targeted them at close range during the crossing. Four men fell into a swampy section of the river and risked drowning under heavy fire. Sullivan personally rescued all four men one by one—most notably Lieutenant Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, Lord Settrington, heir to multiple dukedoms—who subsequently succumbed to his wounds. Despite having a broken handrail, Sullivan waded into the water to save the fourth man. Fusiliers on the far bank returned fire to suppress Bolshevik shooters. After crossing, some soldiers dispersed into smaller groups but all survivors reached British lines at Troitsa by 07:00. British casualties during this engagement were fewer than 30 killed and over 100 wounded.

For his gallantry on 11 August, Sullivan was put forward for the Victoria Cross (VC), Britain’s highest honor for bravery in combat. Additionally, two other Australians were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for their actions during the river crossing.

British troops withdrew from North Russia by late September, leaving Troitsa on 10 September and departing Archangel on 27 September; Sullivan’s service in Russia lasted approximately 100 days. On 26 September, his VC award was officially announced in The London Gazette, which stated:

Sullivan expressed that his fellow soldiers also deserved recognition and even proposed raffling his VC—though this plan never materialized.

Return to Australia

The Australian soldiers reached Plymouth on 9 October and were transferred to a repatriation camp near Winchester. After an evening of lively celebration, Sullivan humorously introduced himself to a British sergeant as "Corporal Sullivan VC," though no further action ensued. Nicknamed the "Shy VC," he granted just one restrained interview regarding his acts of bravery.

Following their return to the UK, the NRRF was disbanded. Sullivan opted to head back to Australia without delay, departing England on 1 November aboard the troopship Nestor. He arrived in Adelaide on 12 December, where a reception was held in his honour at the Adelaide Town Hall. During this journey, he formed a friendship with fellow Victoria Cross awardee Walter Brown. The Maitland Patriotic Society also paid tribute to him on 6 January 1920.

The National Bank presented Sullivan with a gratuity of A£100, an amount sufficient to purchase a modest home in Adelaide. He was formally presented with his Victoria Cross at Government House, Adelaide on 13 July 1920 by Edward, the Prince of Wales, who jokingly remarked, "Aren't you the man who ran away from father?" Shortly thereafter, Sullivan recovered from malaria contracted in Russia. His military decorations included the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Later life

Arthur Sullivan's moniker as the "Shy VC" was reinforced by his humble nature and hesitance to discuss his wartime achievements. Upon returning to Australia, he resumed employment at the National Bank of Australasia in Maitland from February 1920 and actively participated in local community activities and sports. In July 1921, he earned a promotion and joined the bank’s relieving staff until May 1925, when he was appointed accountant at the Orroroo branch. It was there that he met nurse Dorothy Frances Veale and began courting her. He also contributed a North Russia machete to the Australian War Memorial.

In 1927, Sullivan took part in an Anzac Day dinner and commemorative march alongside other Victoria Cross holders. Later that year, after several transfers within South Australia and New South Wales as part of the relieving staff, he married Dorothy on 5 December 1928 in Fairfield, Victoria.

By 1929, Sullivan had relocated to the bank’s head office in Sydney, residing in Manly with Dorothy. The couple had three children: Moya (born 1931) and twins Brian and Shirley (born 1933). In July 1934, he assumed management of the Casino branch in New South Wales. There, he became deeply involved in community affairs as president of the local Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League sub-branch and gained widespread respect.

Australian Coronation Contingent

In 1937, Sullivan was selected for the Australian delegation attending the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. He also intended to escort the ashes of his friend, British Sergeant Arthur Evans, VC, DCM, back to Evans' family in the United Kingdom. The Australian Coronation Contingent (ACC) comprised 100 soldiers, 25 sailors, and 25 airmen; Sullivan was the only Victoria Cross recipient among them. He re-enlisted as a gunner in the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery on 31 January specifically for this duty. The contingent trained in Melbourne before departing on 16 February aboard an ocean liner, where Sullivan received an upgrade to first-class accommodation. Despite his status, he faced two disciplinary charges during the voyage.

Oronsay made stops at Adelaide, Perth, Colombo, Aden, Suez, Naples, Monte Carlo, and Toulon, allowing for multiple shore leaves. Arriving in London on 25 March, Sullivan delivered Evans' ashes to the British Legion at Lytham St Annes in Lancashire two days later. Although rigorous parade drills were part of the visit's schedule, its primary purpose was ceremonial and diplomatic, providing ample opportunities for leave and hospitality.

On 9 April 1937, Sullivan attended an ACC tea event at St James's followed by a reunion dinner at the Royal Fusiliers headquarters located within the Tower of London. While returning to Wellington Barracks in Westminster later that evening, he was overwhelmed by autograph seekers, slipped causing a skull fracture, and was subsequently struck by a cyclist. He died shortly afterward at age 40.

Following his death, ACC activities were paused for three days, including suspending an honour guard for General Sir Harry Chauvel, who was both a friend and fellow director at National Bank of Australasia like Sullivan. The incident had a profound effect on both Australian and British governments; King George VI and Queen Elizabeth extended their condolences to Australian officials. Due to legal protocols, an inquest into Sullivan’s death was conducted with his coffin present. The coroner concluded that his death was accidental resulting from skull fractures and brain lacerations caused by his fall prior to being hit by the cyclist.

Legacy

On 13 April, Sullivan was commemorated with a full military funeral held at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks. The ceremony was attended by distinguished individuals, including between nine and twelve Victoria Cross (VC) holders, among them the Australian Frank McNamara. This event was considered the largest military funeral ever conducted for a soldier of his rank. Following the service, his remains were cremated at Golders Green Crematorium after a brief ceremony led by George Green, a former Australian chaplain from World War I. The Australian Comforts Committee (ACC) lined the procession route alongside thousands of onlookers. To pay tribute to Sullivan, the ACC deliberately left a gap in their formation during the coronation parade on 12 May. His ashes were transported back to Sydney, where Dorothy accepted them. A pallbearer group, including nine VC recipients, led a procession from Man O'War Steps to the Northern Suburbs Crematorium, with crowds gathered along the way. After a short service, his ashes were laid to rest beneath a tree identified by a modest metal plaque.

Dorothy received £250 from the National Bank of Australasia, enabling her to acquire a cottage near Manly to remain close to her family and friends. In 1939, Sullivan’s mother donated an enlarged portrait of him to Crystal Brook Primary School. That same year, an ACC member created a bronze plaque in Sullivan’s honor, which was eventually mounted on the iron railings of Wellington Barracks in January 1946 after wartime delays. Dorothy participated in the 1956 VC centenary celebrations in London, with her travel expenses funded by the National Bank of Australasia. Upon her passing in 1980, she bequeathed Sullivan’s medal collection—including his Victoria Cross and King George VI Coronation Medal—to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, where they are exhibited in the Hall of Valour. In 1996, Vietnam veteran Keith Payne VC unveiled a plaque dedicated to Sullivan at Crystal Brook. A further memorial was unveiled there in 2015. Sullivan’s name is also engraved on the Maitland War Memorial.

Further reading

• Wright, Damien (2024). Australia's Lost Heroes: Anzacs in the Russian Civil War 1919. Big Sky Publishing, Australia. ISBN 978-1-92314-406-4

• Wright, Damien (2017). Churchill's Secret War with Lenin: British and Commonwealth Military Intervention in the Russian Civil War, 1918–20. Helion, Solihull, UK. ISBN 978-1-91151-210-3