Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Patrick O’Sullivan was born on 17 March 1891 (by his personnel record), in County Kerry, Ireland, the son of Michael and Mary O’Sullivan. Was he the ten-year-old Patrick Sullivan, a scholar, who was at home with his parents (Michael, a farmer, and Mary) and five younger brothers (but no Con) at Glanbehy, County Kerry, in 1901? In 1911 and 1914, Patrick Sullivan was a farm labourer at Totara Valley, Pleasant Point. Was this Patrick O’Sullivan, 55616?

In April 1917, Patrick O’Sullivan, labourer, Orari Gorge, Woodbury, was one of 358 names drawn in the ballot for the South Canterbury Military District to fill vacancies in the 30th Reinforcements. Patrick had been in New Zealand for three years, he stated, when he enlisted on 5 May 1917 at Timaru. He was a farm labourer for Tripps at Orari Gorge Station. Single and Roman Catholic, he named his father as next-of-kin – Michael O’Sullivan, Coolroe, Beaufort, County Kerry, Ireland. He also named a friend – John Bray, Totara Valley, Pleasant Point. He was 5 feet 6½ inches tall, weighed 156 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 37-40½ inches. He had a dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair black. His sight, hearing and colour vision were all normal, as were his heart and lungs. His limbs and chest were well formed. He had full and perfect movement of all joints. He had had no illnesses, no slight defects, no fits and was free of diseases. Vaccinated and in good bodily and mental health, he was assessed as Class A.

The Temuka and Geraldine soldiers of the 30th Reinforcements were given an enthusiastic farewell at Temuka in late May 1917. The soldiers and their relations were entertained at luncheon in the Drill Hall by the ladies of the Temuka Patriotic Entertainment Committee. The Mayor of Geraldine said that “the men who were going that day were well up to the standard of previous reinforcements, strong, active fellows, and he was and all were sure they would live up to the traditions set by those who had gone before. He wished the men God speed and a safe return.” Of the 618 men who had already gone from the Temuka and Geraldine districts, 63 had made the supreme sacrifice. Headed by the Brass Band, the men marched to the railway station, where a large crowd had assembled. Further short speeches were delivered and a number of Maori women sang farewell songs. As the train steamed out three hearty cheers were given for the soldiers. Among those forming the draft was P. O’Sullivan.

Patrick Sullivan [sic] was also tendered a farewell social in the shearer’s hut at Orari Gorge Station when he was down on final leave in mid-July 1917. He was presented with a wristlet watch as a mark of esteem from friends and fellow workers at Orari Gorge. He forfeited one day’s pay for overstaying his leave on 23 July 1917 at Featherson. Rifleman P. O’Sullivan embarked with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade on 15 August 1917 per the “Ruahine”, headed for Glasgow, Scotland. Having disembarked at Glasgow on 2 October 1917, he marched in to Brocton on 3 October and proceeded overseas to France from there on 23 October, joining his battalion with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade on 2 November.

On 5 April 1918 in France, Patrick suffered a shot gun wound to the buttock. He was admitted to the No. 1 New Zealand Field Ambulance, then transferred to No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station. Patrick O’Sullivan, 55616, died on 5 April 1918 at the No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station in the Field in France, of gunshot wounds to his back and hips. He was 27 years old. He was buried in Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. His name was recorded in the Casualty List published in the Timaru Herald of 20 April 1918, simply as Patrick O’Sullivan (Ireland) – died of wounds. His medals – British War Medal and Victory Medal – were sent to Mr M. O’Sullivan, Coolroe, Kilgobnet, Beaufort, Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, as were the plaque and scroll. Mr M. O’Sullivan, as next-of-kin, signed the receipt for the memorial plaque.

Probate in the matter of the estate of Patrick O’Sullivan, late of Seadown and Orari Gorge, Labourer, a Member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, deceased, was granted on 31 July 1918 to John Breen, of Waitohi Flat, Labourer, the Executor named in the Will. Rifleman P. O’Sullivan had advised that his will, which was signed on 17 July 1917 when he was a member of the 29th Reinforcements, was in the hands of Tripp, Solicitors, Timaru, S. Canterbury. John Breen testified that Patrick O’Sullivan died of wounds received on Active Service on 5 April 1918, as he was able to verify from having received the Certificate of Death from the Register-General. Patrick O’Sullivan’s Regimental Number was 55616 and he was the person named in the certificate. He had also received a letter from Con O’Sullivan dated 12th April 1918 telling of the death of his brother, Patrick O’Sullivan. Patrick’s will had been signed on 17 July 1917. Patrick O’Sullivan was born in County Kerry, Ireland. John Breen, too, was born in Ireland. All his property was to go to his parents, Michael O’Sullivan and Mary O’Sullivan, of Coolroe, Killarney, Ireland.

Patrick O’Sullivan is honoured, it is believed, on the Timaru Memorial Wall (Sullivan P.), the Temuka War Memorial (Sullivan P.), the Temuka RSA Roll of Honour (Sullivan P.), the Seadown Memorial (P. Sullivan), the Woodbury District War Memorial (P. Sullivan), the St Joseph’s, Temuka, Roll of Honour (Patrick Sullivan), and on the additions to the Geraldine War Memorial (P. Sullivan). The name of P. Sullivan is engraved on a brass shield, mounted on an oaken honours board, which was unveiled in a ceremony at the Seadown School in August 1920. A large gathering of Seadown residents and visitors from neighbouring districts took part in the unveiling and the accompanying musical service, which concluded with the sounding of the “Last Post”. Below the names is the inscription: “Their names shall remain for ever, and their glory shall not be blotted out.” Patrick’s Will provided evidence of his having been at Seadown.

A fine yet rustic cross of bluestone, erected in memory of the men of the Woodbury district who fell in the Great War, was unveiled and dedicated in April 1922 before a crowd estimated at between six and seven hundred. The Geraldine band accompanied the singing of the hymns “O God Our Help in Ages Past” and “For all the Saints”; prayers were offered, addresses delivered, wreaths placed by the school children, and “The Last Post sounded – ‘the mournful notes of the beautiful bugle call ringing out clearly on the still air.’ The inscription reads – “In grateful memory of those who gave their lives for King and country in the Great War, 1914-1918. These passed out of sight of men by the paths of duty and self sacrifice, giving up their own lives that others might live in freedom.”

The Temuka St Joseph’s Church Memorial, an “exceedingly beautiful” monument to the memory of those who had fallen in the war, was unveiled after a Memorial Service on 25 April 1922. During the service appropriate music was provided by the choir and an excellent address was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Kennedy. Thirty-six from the parish laid down their lives. The name of Patrick Sullivan was heard again on Anzac Day, 1927. A Requiem Mass was celebrated at St Joseph’s Church, Temuka. The celebrant preached a very stirring sermon based on the Book of Wisdom (Chapter III, Verses 2-5). He pointed out that the Gallipoli campaign and later “gigantic episodes” would remain for all time a wonderful symbol of the age-old courage of men. He reminded the lads present that the enormous sacrifices made by the soldiers of New Zealand and other parts of the Empire were helping them to have brighter and better lives, and that all should render thanks to God, who had delivered them out of the hands of the enemy. They had gathered to commemorate the landing at Gallipoli and also to set aside the day to show their deep and grateful acknowledgement of the services of the men who had fought and died for them on other fields of the great battle-front. “The light of immortality that flashed from the abandoned tomb of the risen Christ lingers on in every mound of Flanders mud and clay, the gullies of Gallipoli, the sands of Palestine and Egypt, on the quiet churchyards in English villages and on God’s acres in New Zealand. . . . . And to-day, before God’s altar, we remember them with the love we bore them and the pride we shall have in them,” he concluded. Before the Dead March was played by the organist, the names were read of those from the Temuka parish who had died “on the field of honour” – among them that of Patrick Sullivan.

The name of Private P. Sullivan appeared in the original list of names to be inscribed on the Temuka War Memorial, which was notified in December 1921. The Temuka Borough memorial was unveiled in August 1922 before a very large gathering in the domain, including Temuka Territorials and Cadets, Temuka and Geraldine returned soldiers, the Temuka Pipe Band, the Salvation Army Band, the children of the district schools, national and local dignitaries, and local folk. Opening proceedings, the Mayor said “We regret that this occasion has arisen, but having done so we must look back with pride at the actions of those who rose to the call of the Motherland, which was in peril. Many of those brave boys who left these shores did not return, and we have erected this memorial to their memory, . . .” After hymns and scripture readings, His Excellency the Governor-General formally unveiled the monument and the local M.P. read out the names inscribed thereon. The name of P. Sullivan is recorded on the Temuka Rugby Club’s Roll of Honour, beneath the inscription ‘To the men who played the game.’

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [03 October 2021]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ ref. AABK 18805 W5549 0089099) [13 October 2021]; CWGC [14 October 2021]; Timaru Herald, 18 April 1917, 29 May 1917, 20 April 1918, 21 August 1920, 11, 17 & 26 April 1922, Temuka Leader, 19 April 1917, 29 May 1917, 19 July 1917, 24 August 1920, 1 December 1921, 15 & 26 April 1922, 12 August 1922, 26 April 1927, Sun, 19 April 1918, Press, 15 April 1922 (Papers Past) [06 & 08 February 2018; 31 March 2018; 04, 05, 08, 09, & 12 October 2021]; Ireland 1901 census return (per ancestry.com.au) [03 October 2021]; Probate record (Archives NZ/Family Search) [03 October 2021]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [16 October 2021]

External Links

Related Documents

• O'SULLIVAN Patrick - newspaper clippings (pdf, 104.5 KB updated 27-Oct-2021)
• O'SULLIVAN Patrick - records (pdf, 797.5 KB updated 27-Oct-2021)

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