Serjeant 5481 Edward Sullivan

Killed in Action on Wednesday, 3rd February 1915, age unknown.
Commemorated on Panel 19 - 22 of Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

2nd Bn., Cheshire Regiment. 84th Brigade of 28th Division.

Born: Jersey, Channel Islands, Enlisted: Dublin, Resident: Tipton.

First landed France & Flanders, 16th January 1915.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the Dudley Clock Tower Memorial.
Commemorated here because identified as Tipton on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/915372/

Genealogical Data

1891 Census
Chester Castle comprising Barracks and Military Hospital.
Edward Sullivan: (7, Occupation - None, born Jersey).
The only other Sullivan in Chester Castle Barracks was Jeremiah Sullivan (37, Single, Soldier Infantry Private, born Carrigboy, Cork, Ireland).

Marriage of Jeremiah Sullivan and Martha Stanford registered March quarter 1893 in Nantwich, Cheshire.

1901 Census
Aldershot Barracks.
Edward Sullivan: age 17, Infantry Private at Aldershot Barracks, born Jersey.
(also an Andrew Sullivan, age 19, born Ireland - coincidence?)

1901 Census
Jeremiah Sullivan - cannot trace.
Martha A Sullivan: age 33, Married, Housekeeper (Domestic) Servant at 186 Wolverhampton St, Dudley, born Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

1911 Census
100 High Street, Dudley
Jeremiah Sullivan (59, Army Pensioner, born Co. Cork, Ireland), and his wife of 18 years Martha Sullivan (43, House Keeper at Drapery, born Dudley). The Drapery seemed to be 100 High Street, as 9 others lived here employed at the Drapery. Martha had one child who was not living with them - Edward?

1911 Census
The Ridge, Jubbulpore, India.
Edward Sullivan: (27, Lance Corporal, Single, 2nd Bn Cheshire Regiment, Soldier (musician), born Jersey, Channel Isles).

Personal Data

Edward Sullivan was never obviously a resident in Tipton although that is what 'Soldiers Died in the Great War' records. It is likely that he was the son of Jeremiah Sullivan, an old soldier who had settled in Dudley by 1911. It is possible that Jeremiah was resident in Tipton by the time of the war and this constitutes Edward's residence in Tipton. From at least 1901 Edward had been in the army, and in 1914 was in Jubbulpore, India.

Edward also served in South Africa during the Boer War as he was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with 4 clasps: Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, and South Africa 1902. These were sold on ebay in August 2014.

Action resulting in his death

On the outbreak of war in August 1914, the 2nd Cheshires were on garrison duty in Jubbulpore, India. They returned to England, landing at Devonport on 24 December 1914. The Battalions returning from overseas garrison work made up the 27th, 28th and 29th Divisions which were soon to provide the much needed reinforcements to the initial British Expeditionery Force.

The 2nd Cheshires were attached to 84th Brigade, 28th Division, at Winchester. They departed England on 16th January 1915, and landed at Le Havre 17th January 1915.

Work still outstanding for this man.

Newspaper Cuttings

None.