1/5th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment. Awarded the M.M. in
the London Gazette of 16 July 1918. Sullivan was a native of Hapton, Lancashire.
From the Burnley Express: -
MILITARY MEDAL FOR HAPTON AMBULANCE MAN.
Private James Sullivan (242186), East Lancashire Regiment., T.F., and who previous to enlistment, was a member of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade, has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery displayed under heavy shell fire. After his enlistment he received training at Southport and Oswestry, and was drafted to Egypt, and afterwards to France. Sergeant A. Kerr, of the same regiment, writing home a few days ago, stated that Sullivan was a fearless and excellent soldier, and certainly ought to have honour for his actions. Previous to enlistment, the Hapton Manufacturing Company employed Private Sullivan as a clothlooker. The St. John's R.C. Church have already a creditable honours list, and this award adds more, as Sullivan was a member of that church.
From the Burnley Express of 8 February 1919: -
PRESENTATION OF MEDALS AT PADIHAM.
At the Padiham Grand theatre, on Tuesday night last, two more
Military medals were presented, one being to Private Pilkington, of 13, Guy
Street, Padiham, and the other to Private J. Sullivan, of 17, Altham Street,
Padiham. The medals were presented by Councilor Wiggins, vice-chairman of the
Urban District Council, and were pinned on by Mr. Joseph Hargreaves. There were
also present Mr. R.T. Whitehead, Mr. Arthur Ford (chairman of the Padiham Branch
of "The Comrades of the Great War" section of Discharged Soldiers
Association), and ex-Sergeant Brown (chairman of the Discharged Soldiers Association).
Councilor Wiggins, at the outset, read out the War Office report of the deeds
which had earned the honours conferred, as follows: -
Private Sullivan, East Lancashire Regiment: - "For
conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during the action on the 25 - 28 March
1918, near Gomicourt. Whilst acting as battalion runner this soldier repeatedly
delivered important messages under heavy shell fire. His work was performed
willingly and speedily, though continuously exposed to very great danger."
Councilor Wiggins expressed his great appreciation of the noble deeds that the
men had done, and the honour they had bestowed on themselves and the town, and
hoped they would live long and conduct themselves in civil life in such a manner
as to be a further honour to themselves and the community at large. He further
spoke in the highest terms of the work that had been done in the town by the
civilian population, and he especially commended the Padiham Women's Emergency
Association, who had done great work.