Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Humphrey Burgheim Sullivan, well known as Paddy to family and friends, was the youngest son of George and Mary (née Green) Sullivan of Waimate. He was born on 15 February 1889 at Waimate. George and Mary married in May 1875 at St Hilary, Cornwall and emigrated soon after. Their first child was born in about 1876 and the second at Waimate in 1878. The four eldest of George and Mary’s family – John (Jock), George, William and Richard - attended Hampden School (North Otago) from June/July 1887 till October 1887, having come from Waimate. The family had moved to Hampden to take over the hotel there. In November 1889, George Sullivan was charged by the chairman of the Waimate School Committee, under the compulsory clauses of the Education Act, that he did not send his boy, aged 12 years, to school. This was possibly George junior, the second-born. “Defendant said the lad had no decent clothes to go in. He had eight other children 4 of which went to school. He farmed 40 acres of land and travelled an entire horse which was his own property. He was ordered to send the boy to school within 7 days.” Perhaps Humphrey was the P. Sullivan who was placed first in the boys’ high jump (under 11) and second in the long jump at the Waimate School sports in March 1901. And at the Waimate Caldeonian Society’s sports in December 1905, P. Sullivan was placed second in the Irish Jig. Was this young Paddy?

At a very enjoyable farewell gathering in late April 1912 at “Woodlands” near Waimate, Mr P. Sullivan gave a selection on the bagpipes, his brother Richard being the MC for the night. H. B. Sullivan was elected a member of the Waimate Caledonian Society in December 1912. At the Waimate Caledonian Society 1912 Boxing Day Sports, H. B. Sullivan finished second for most points for Waimate County in the Music and Dancing category (marches, strathspeys and reels). Just a month before he had won a silver medal in the same category at the St Andrews Caledonian Society’s annual sports. It is possible that Humphrey was the P. Sullivan who was appointed to the committee of the Waimate Gun Club, alongside R. Sullivan, in 1913. As of July 1913, he was secretary of the “resuscitated Waimate Gun Club”, much credit for the undoubted success of the first meeting of the season being due to the thoroughness of his work. At a trophy clay pigeon match at Waimate in September 1913 Humphrey tied for the third sweepstake, while his brother Richard won two. At the 1913 Waimate Caledonian Boxing Day sports, he was again placed second in the strathspeys and reels for Waimate pipers, there being only two competitors.

Before the war, Humphrey was a labourer at Hannaton for G. Sullivan, probably his brother. Humphrey Burgeim Sullivan was one of the first to volunteer on the outbreak of war, responding to the call at Waimate on 11 August 1914 and enlisting at Timaru on 13 August 1914. At that time, he was a self-employed contractor at Waimate. Two weeks later Trooper H. B. Sullivan was listed among the Waimate men in the B Squadron, South Canterbury Mounted Rifles.

Humphrey departed with the Mounted Men by the slow train from Timaru on 17 August 1914, amidst much excitement in the town, whilst their horses were trucked at the Smithfield siding, Waimataitai. The Mayor spoke of the pride in them and said that they were going forward with stout hearts and strong arms. “Be true lads to your King and Empire, to yourselves and your country, and put your trust in God,” he said. From there they proceeded to Christchurch where they comprised the South Canterbury Squadron. Trooper H. B. Sullivan, of B Squadron of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, arrived in camp at Addington with a sizeable contingent of South Canterbury men on that night.

Humphrey Sullivan stood at 5 feet 6¼ inches, weighed 152 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 34-38 inches. He had a dark complexion, blue eyes and black hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision and teeth were all good, his limbs and chest well formed, and his heart and lungs normal. Being vaccinated and free of diseases and slight defects, he was in good bodily and mental health. Single and Anglican, he named his mother as next-of-kin – Mrs Geo Sullivan, Waimate. Trooper H. B. Sullivan embarked with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles of the Main Body, leaving from Lyttelton on 16 October 1914 and reaching Suez, Egypt, on 4 December 1914. Just a year later he was back in New Zealand. Humphrey had left in good health but after 14 weeks at Gallipoli he suffered a hand grenade wound to his arm and leg while fighting in the trenches at Anzac, when he fell on his back, was rendered weak and lost weight, and then contracted an infection. A small fragment of metal had penetrated his left forearm. He was admitted to the Hospital Ship “Delta” and then to the General Hospital at Cairo, before being transferred to the Special Camp at Zeitrum. He embarked for New Zealand on 23 September 1915, returning by the “Tofua” which arrived at Port Chalmers at the end of October [26 Oct 1915]. He also had enteric on the ship when returning home.

THE RETURNED SOLDIERS.

FROM DUNEDIN TO WAIMATE.

WELCOME REFRESHMENT AT STUDHOLME JUNCTION.

MEN GLAD TO GET BACK.

One did not need to be told that the men were glad to get back. As they gazed from the railway carriage windows—ay, even on Tuesday evening as they scanned the green slopes of the Seacliff hills from the prow of the transport, just as evening’s shades began to fall, and the pilot’s boat came alongside, they saw that their “ain countree” was verdant green — so unlike the red sands of Egypt, and the scrubby, grassless soil of Anzac and the Peninsula. . . . . . . . They had “done their bit” for the Empire and New Zealand, and were ready to return as soon as fit and well, but their gratification at the sight of their own dear land again, rich in nature’s blessings, and breathing the spirit of freedom, made a “sentimental Tommy” of every mother’s son of them. . . . . . . .

Another soldier, learning that I was a newspaper man, said “You can put in the paper about the great 1915 stew; the soldiers will know what it means.”

It seems that every unit on the Tofua drew its ration of stew, but they mostly threw it overboard as soon as drawn. . . . . . . . .

Someone possessing a knowledge of the great and ready heart of compassion in the Waimate community telephoned from Palmerston to the Red Cross Executive here explaining the circumstances and venturing to suggest a provision of refreshments at Studholme Junction, if time permitted. . . . . . . “Refreshments are being provided at Studholme Junction, half an hour up the line, by the Waimate Red Cross, at very short notice. So all be sure to get out on the platform, so the train won’t go without you.” This explained the astonishment of the guard and the Red Cross Executive and others at the way in which the train shot its human freight on to the platform at the usually neglected wayside station. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . THE WAIMATE MEN.

“Paddy” Sullivan had a bad run on the ship, only rising from his sick bed a few days before the transport reached New Zealand. Consequently, he looked pale, but was bright. He went with his brother to Studholme.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . THE WAIMATE RECEPTION.

A big crowd had assembled, and the Brass Band played a lively air as the train drew into the station. Relatives met their soldiers, who were escorted to cars. They were then addressed by the deputy Mayor (Dr Hayes) who extended to them a cordial welcome on the town and district’s behalf. He said that it had often been stated New Zealand had no history, but he declared that this was not so now. These lads who had returned that day had not only made history for this Dominion but for the Empire. (Applause). They had done their duty. They had come back to us wounded and battered and torn. They had fought our battles on Gallipoli’s slopes, and we honoured them for it. (Cheers). They had faced battle at the front, and now they had to face the battle of life and we owed them a duty. (Hear, hear!) They had fought a great fight for justice, freedom and civilisation and now it was everybody’s fervent hope that they would soon be restored to health and strength. (Cheers). The Mayoress (Mrs Francis) met the men at the Junction and accompanied them to Waimate.” [Waimate Daily Advertiser. 28 October 1915.]

On 29 February 1916 the Medical Board determined that Humphrey was consequently suffering with giddiness, that his progress was only fair, that he was very neurotic and dyspeptic; and that his capacity for earning a full livelihood in the general labour market had been lessened by one fourth. He was no longer fit for active service and was permanently disabled. Treatment as an out-patient at Waimate Hospital was recommended. He was discharged, physically unfit, in New Zealand on 3 March 1916, when he was deemed to be of good character. For his service in Egypt and the Balkans, he was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. At the annual meeting of the Waimate Caledonian Society on 29 September 1915, the members “who have offered their services and are so nobly upholding the honour of the British Empire and flag” were named, H. B. Sullivan included. “To those who are still at the front and those who are going with the next Reinforcements, we wish God speed and a safe return.” The name of Trooper H. B. Sullivan appeared regularly on the Waimate Daily Advertiser Roll of Honour under the sub-title of Answered the Call.

At a farewell to Thomas Leal, in March 1917, when he was leaving for the front, Mr P. Sullivan performed an Irish jig. At the Waimate Caledonian Society annual sports in December 1917, He again performed well, finishing second in Bagpipe music (reels). Paddy may well have served on the committee for the revived Ikawai Sports Club in the mid-1920s when he was a labourer there. He won 10 shillings for third place in Bagpipe Music – Marches and Stratthspeys, at the Waimate Caledonian Society’s Boxing Day Sports 50th Jubilee Meeting in 1925. Humphrey ran a horse (Cromstall) in the Waimate Trotting Cup race t the Waimate Club’s inaugural meeting in June 1925.

It was in May 1926 at Waimate that H. B. Sullivan proceeded against his brother, Thomas Sullivan for £200 for wages, and for certain things supplied. Humphrey had worked for Thomas, a small farmer and fruitgrower, for a time, no basis of wages arranged. The notebook in which was recorded the time worked was, however, burnt, and different views of fair pay were taken by the brothers. Humohrey was awarded £110. At this time, Humphrey was living with his mother.

He was still active, and successful, with the Gun Club at Waihao Forks in 1926. At a shoot held in October, he won the Novice event, killing all his birds. He was also one of six of the 21 entries in the Seven Bird Handicap who tied for first place. In the shoot off Humphrey finished second. “The grand march to music played by Piper H. B. Sullivan on the bagpipes, was led off by the secretaries,” at a splendid dance held at the Waituna School in late August. Just days before he had contributed a bagpipes solo at a Waimate farewell social. At the St Andrews sports meeting in December, he came second in bagpipe music. Second place was again his, and 20 shillings, in the Marches and Strathspeys (open to members of Waimate Pipe Band) at the Waimate Calednian Society’s 1926 Boxing Day meeting. Humphrey scored first place in the Bagpipe Music (Marches and Strathspeys) at the Waimate Friendly Societies Easter 1927 sports.

Humphrey remained in the Waimate district, working as a drover and labourer until moving in about 1930 to Goose Bay in Marlborough and working as a fisherman. His talent with the bagpipes was still to the fore, and many were the occasions when he provided the music. Hogmanay 1930 at Kaikoura – the “Scots were abroad on New Year’s Eve to welcome the coming and speed the parting year, and there was the squirling of bagpipes by Mr Paddy Sullivan, . . . .” At the funeral of one of Kaikoura’s oldest and most esteemed settlers, in August 1931, Mr H. B. Sullivan played “The Lament” on the bagpipes at the graveside. At the Boxing Day sports, Mr P. Sullivan acted as piper for the dancing events and had s busy day. Piper Sullivan was at the Unemployment stall on 30 April 1932. At the annual meeting of the Kaikoura branch of the Scottish Society in June 1932, thanks “were accorded Mr P. Sullivan who had acted as piper since the inception of the Society, the President remarking that his services had been heartily appreciated.” At the Society’s October social hour, he opened the programme with bagpipe selections and accompanied the dancers on his bagpipes, the Irish jig being performed by his niece, Miss Nellie Pluck. Nellie Pluck was heartily applauded for her dancing of the sailors’ hornpipe at the Kaikoura School concert in December following, Mr P. Sullivan accompanying her on the bagpipes. He agreed to escort the Kaikoura old-timers to the Domain with his bagpipes for a football challenge match with Cheviot on 22 July 1933. “Just wait and see the teams in full regalia march from the Adelphi Hotel to Takahanga, with Paddy Sullivan leading with the bagpipes.” Another niece, Miss Doris Pluck, celebrated her 21st Birthday at her parents’ home in late February 1934. Among the entertainers was Mr Paddy Sullivan with selections on the bagpipes, “which assisted to enliven the proceedings”.

The newspaper report a couple of weeks later was in quite a different vein. “H. B. Sullivan was charged with driving a motor truck without it being registered, and with driving the truck without a license, with failing to report an accident, and also with driving a truck without any warning device. He pleaded not guilty. Constable McLennan stated that on 24th January it was reported to him that Sullivan had had an accident. Or January 26 he obtained a statement from defendant, which was read to the Court. Defendant said he did not know what constituted an accident. He was not hurt. He stated that Mr Barker had given him permission to cart wood or water. He had not told Barker that he had no license to drive. To Constable McLennan: Mr Barker gave him permission to drive the car for wood or water. He was pinned under the car, the campers assisting to lift the car off him. He was not hurt, although his sister rang up the doctor. The car was registered the previous year. He had only been into town twice since last August. A. W. Barker said he had warned defendant not to use the truck. Defendant’s statement was contrary to fact. At South Bay he had warned him about using the truck, but had allowed him to drive the truck back to Goose Bay. He may have told defendant that he could cart water if he did not use the main highways. Defendant was fined £2 for driving an unregistered car, costs 10/-, 10/- and costs 10/- for driving without a license, convicted and fined £1 and costs for failing to report an accident, and convicted for driving a car without a warning device.” In July 1935, Paddy applied for an extension of time to vacate a camping site at Goose Bay. This may have been his usual place of residence.

Paddy Sullivan and his bagpipes were regular supporters of hockey, football and school functions at Kaikoura. The name Humphrey Burgeim Sullivan, Goose Bay, appeared in the Police Gazette of 19 April 1939, but Humphrey was the victim not the perpetrator. Between 26 September 1938 and 12 January 1939, a lot of his property was stolen - three Goodyear motor-tires; a Dunlop tire and four Dunlop tubes; four rims for Ford truck; a Ford engine; an oil-pump; a gear-box ; a distributor; coil, &c.; and an Evinrude outboard motor – to a total value of £74 8s. The motor parts were stolen from his truck while it was parked on the roadside, and the outboard motor was stolen from his hut. Some tyres, tubes and rims had been recovered, and the motor was recovered on 31 July 1940. Paddy retired to Christchurch where he died on 6 September 1974, aged 85 years. He was the last surviving child of Mary and George Sullivan. Paddy was buried in the soldiers’ section of Ruru Lawn Cemetery, Christchurch, after a Requiem Mass at St Teresa’s Church, Riccarton. It appears that George Sullivan was Roman Catholic and Mary Sullivan (née Green) Anglican. Messages at his death were to go to Mrs W. McJarrow, Prebbleton, Winnie McJarrow being a niece of Humphrey. His niece Winnie was the prime beneficiary of his estate. The Mother Superior of Nazareth House, Christchurch, was also remembered in his Will. Perhaps Paddy had been resident there.

His brother, Richard Sullivan, also served in World War One and returned home from Samoa in 1916, medically unfit for further service on account of illness. Richard died in an accident in 1936, leaving a young family. Both Humphrey and Richard enlisted early in the war (January 1915). Another brother, William Sullivan, registered at Waimate in March 1916, by which time Paddy had returned home and been discharged as unfit for further service. Four of Humphrey’s brothers were listed on the Reserve Rolls – George, Thomas and James, all of whom were married with children, and Charles. John Sullivan died in 1959, George in 1970, William in 1941, Richard in 1936, James in 1959, Caroline (Pluck) in 1959, Thomas in 1962, Charles in 1961, and Mary in 1910.

What of George and Mary, the parents of Humphrey and Richard and their eight siblings? In early 1904, the Government acquired the Edendale estate in Southland for close settlement. William Sullivan of Glenavy drew a section – a small dairy farm - in the ballot held in April 1904. This was Billy Sullivan, the second son of George and Mary. Before long Billy left his father to take over the farm. So, George Sullivan moved to the Edendale-Mataura district, while Mary and the family remained at Waimate. How much did Mary know of what followed? At a Sullivan family reunion many years later, no mention was made of a second family. This reunion was held at Waimate in 1978/1979, prompted by the death of Ernest Lyall Sullivan (Lyall), nephew of Richard and Humphrey, on 21 June 1978 at Ashburton. George took a common-law wife – Mary Jane Staples. George and Mary Jane had at least seven children, all but one born with the Staples name. For some years, George Sullivan and Mary Jane Staples farmed Ota Creek near Edendale. There, in January 1907, he held a very extensive clearing sale, his dairy herd being known as “one of the best on the settlement – young cows in good order, and first-rate milkers. The horses are workers and good sorts.” From Ota Creek he moved to Mataura Island, dealing in draught horses and farming. But, on 30 March 1920 at Rakahauka, George Sullivan was killed in a motor accident. “By his second marriage, contracted late in life, he leaves a widow and several small children. His family by his first wife are all grown up.”

Meanwhile, Mrs Mary Sullivan lived on at Waimate, spending her last years at Kaikoura with her daughter Caroline and dying there on 18 April 1927, the “relict of the late George Sullivan”. She was buried at the Waimate Cemetery, after her funeral had left from the Waimate residence of her son, Mr Richard Sullivan, for a service at St Augustine’s Church. “The late Mrs Sullivan was a very strong and warm-hearted woman, doing a good turn and giving a word of good advice to all, and she was loved and respected by all who knew her. She had lived a very strenuous life in the early days, but was rewarded for it all by a peaceful and happy death.” She was survived by her eight sons and daughter. A younger daughter, Mary, died in 1910 at Waimate, aged 17 years.

Two sons of George Sullivan and Mary Jane Staples served in World War Two, the youngest (Eric Samson Sullivan) dying in 1945 at Coronation Hospital, Christchurch, as a result of his war service; while James Richard Sullivan, who had named his mother as next-of-kin, died in Dunedin in 1998, unmarried. George (the younger) died at the Waipiata Sanatorium in 1943, and Albert Edward Sullivan died in 1941 and was buried at Gore. The others lived to bigger ages. Mary Jane Sullivan died in 1970 at Wakari Hospital and was cremated at Andersons Bay. Ernest Lyall Sullivan, a nephew of Richard and Humphrey, served in World War Two.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [26 August 2013]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK18805 W5553 0110690) [07 January 2015]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK18805 W5562 0134206) [07 January 2015]; NZ BDM Indexes (DIA historical records) [06 May 2014]; Timaru Herald, 9 November 1889, 29 November 1912, 27 December 1912, 6 September 1913, 15 & 18 August 1914, 19 August 1915, 19 April 1916, 31 March 1920, 19 June 1925, 6 May 1926, 1 September 1926, 29 December 1926, 18 April 1917, South Canterbury Times, 9 November 1889, Waimate Daily Advertiser, 9 March 1901, 28 December 1905, 3 August 1910, 1 May 1912, 6 December 1912, 30 June 1913, 11 July 1913, 29 December 1913, 12 & 27 August 1914, 20 August 1915, 30 September 1915, 20 & 28 October 1915, 14 March 1916, 19 April 1916, 17 March 1917, 27 December 1917, 30 May 1918, 20 December 1924, 18 June 1925, 28 October 1925, 5 & 28 December 1925, 5 May 1926, 1 & 18 September 1926, 23 October 1926, 6 & 29 December 1926, 18, 19 & 23 April 1927, Western Star, 2 February 1904, 26 April 1904, Evening Star, 23 April 1904, Mataura Ensign, 28 January 1907, 31 March 1920, 1 April 1920, Press, 19 August 1914, 31 March 1920, 29 December 1926, 18 April 1927, 7 & 9 September 1974, Oamaru Mail, 19 August 1915, Ashburton Guardian, 20 October 1915, Southland Times, 31 March 1920, 1 April 1920, Otago Daily Time, 30 December 1926, Kaikoura Star, 5 January 1931, 17 August 1931, 30 December 1931, 21 April 1932, 23 June 1932, 3 October 1932, 15 December 1932, 3 & 10 July 1933, 15 March 1934, 25 July, 1935, 5 September 1935, 27 April 1939, NZ Police Gazette, 19 April 1939 (Papers Past) [05 November 2013; 30 August 2014; 14, 15 & 20 December 2014; 01 November 2015; 28 & 30 June 2016; 14 May 2017; 24 April 2018; 18 September 2019; 13 June 2022; 02, 03, 04, 09, 13, 15 & 21 November 2022]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [21 December 2014]; Ruru Lawn Cemetery burial record (Christchurch City Council) [26 August 2013]; Ruru Lawn Cemetery headstone transcription (South Canterbury Branch NZSG Cemetery Records microfiche) [17 December 2014]; Timaru Herald, 7 September 1974 (Timaru District Library) [12 January 2015]; Newspaper article “130 Sullivans reunite” – undated & unsourced (1978/1979, Waimate); Probate record (Archives NZ) [22 November 2022]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• SULLIVAN Humphrey Burgeim (Paddy) - newspaper clippings (pdf, 1.5 MB updated 25-Nov-2022)

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