Topic: BatzO - Emptsa
Emptsa
North Russia, 29 August 1919
The Times, 1 October 1919
The account is transcribed below.
The Times, 1 October 1919, p. 11.
V.C. WON IN RUSSIA.
AUSTRALIAN CORPORAL'S HEROISM.
War Office, Sept. 29.
The King has been pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the following non-commissioned officer:-
No. 133003 Corporal Arthur Percy Sullivan, 45th. Bn., Royal Fusiliers (Crystal Brook, South Australia).
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on August 10, 1919, at the Sheiks, River, North Russia.
The platoon to which he belonged, after fighting a rearguard covering action, had to cross the river by means of a narrow plank, and during the passage an officer and three men fell into a deep swamp.
Without hesitation, under intense fire, Corporal Sullivan jumped into the river and rescued all four, bringing them out singly. But for this gallant action his comrades would undoubtedly have been drowned. It was a splendid example of heroism, as all ranks were on the point of exhaustion and the enemy less than 100 yards distant.
The King has been pleased to approve of the award of the Meritorious Service Modal to the following warrant officer and men for devotion to duty during an epidemic in t .prisoners of war camp, Germany:
MIDDLESEX REGIMENT
6/S.R./6987 Pte. WORSFOLD, F. J.. 1st Bn. (East Finchley).
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE.
2126 R.S.M. BANNIGAN, J. F. M., 2nd Bde.. Aust. F.A.
1466 Pte. WOOD, R., 2nd Bn., Aust. M.G.C.
(London Gazette Supplement, Sept. 29.)
Arthur Percy Sullivan, a brief military biography from The AIF Project:
| Regimental number | 56133 |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Bank teller |
| Address | Crystal Brook, South Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Next of kin | Father, A M Sullivan, Crystal Brook, South Australia |
| Enlistment date | 27 April 1918 |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 1 to 6 (SA) Reinforcements (May-Oct 1918) |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/111/4 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A74 Marathon on 23 July 1918 |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | Artillery Details |
| Fate | Discharged 12 June 1919 |
| Medals | Victoria Cross 'For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the 10th August, 1919, at the Sheika River, North Russia. The platoon to which he belonged, after fighting a rearguard covering action, had to cross the river by means of a narrow plank, and during the passage an officer and three men fell into a deep swamp. Without hesitation, under intense fire, Corporal Sullivan jumped into the river and rescued all four, bring them out singly. But for this gallant action his comrades would have, undoubtedly, been drowned. It was a splendid example of heroism, as all ranks were on the point of exhaustion, and the enemy less than 100 yards distant.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 10 Date: 29 January 1920 |
| Other details | War service: England, North Russia Medals: Victoria Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Further Reading:
North Russian Campaign, Contents
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: Emptsa, North Russia, The Times, 1 October 1919
