Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Richard Sullivan, known as Dick, was born on 9 May 1881 at Waimate, the fourth son of George and Mary (née Green) Sullivan. 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. He was educated at St Joseph’s School, Waimate, although the four eldest of George and Mary’s family, Richard included, 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.” On leaving school, Richard was apprenticed as a blacksmith before becoming a bricklayer. Tests for the selection of the Waimate quota for the Tenth Contingent for the South African War took place on 2 April 1902. The riding test weeded out three of the 23 applicants who paraded at the drillshed, and another failed the shooting test at the rifle range. Among the sixteen who passed the medical test was eighteen-year old Richard Sullivan, labourer, Waimate, 21 years, 5ft 8in, 36in, 10st 10lbs. Also in the selection was Richard’s brother James Sullivan, labourer, 20 years, 5ft 6in, 36in, 11st 6lbs. The men left Waimate on 5 April for Timaru and from there by express for Christchurch. “The South Island battalion of the Tenth Contingent have been hard at work all the week drilling when not hindered by the weather. Up till Thursday morning the weather was unsuitable for much drill, but since then it has been perfect. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday all parades were in the Addington Show ground, but on Thursday afternoon the battalion, over 500 strong, marched to Haglev Park, where an excellent afternoon’s extended drill was gone through. The Waimate section, all but three, are in the No. 3 troop, G squadron, and they consider that theirs is the crack troop in camp. Most of them had had some training in infantry drill, and though not the same as mounted work, this proved an advantage. The rest are fast losing any awkwardness they felt at first, and bid fair to make excellent “soldiers of the King.” The Waimate boys all take the keenest interest in their work, and are quite disappointed when rain prevents a parade. Off the parade ground the whole talk is of the work done — squadrons,; troops, fours. . . . . . Waimate troopers will be pleased to receive letters from any of their friends who can find time to write.” [Waimate Daily Advertiser. 15 April 1902.] R. Sullivan offered his services as a farrier. Private Richard Sullivan (9442) and Private James Sullivan (9441) embarked with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles of the Tenth Contingent, departing from Wellington by the “Norfolk” on 19 April 1902. Both men named their father as next-of-kin – George Sullivan, Park Road, Waimate. James returned to Waimate just a few months later, on 5 September. Richard was a farrier, single, and Roman Catholic, his address being C/- Mrs G. Sullivan, Park Road, Waimate. He had been medically examined by Dr Barclay on 2 April. Richard took ill on 15 July 1902 on the Troopship “Montrose” after leaving Durban and was diagnosed with bronchitis. He was on Sick Pay from the beginning of October 1902. Although he was rapidly improving as of 16 January 1903, the Examining Medical Officer recommended his discharge. His illness was considered the result of active service in South Africa. Leave for two months was recommended. He was discharged on the expiration of his term of service, of very good character and having served for 127 days, and received the Imperial South African Clasp on 1 July 1905.

Richard Sullivan married Helen (Ellen) Mary Frances Shirley on 4 November 1903 at the Waimate Roman Catholic Church. They would, in time, have seven daughters. It is likely that Richard took part in hunting as a rider. He was also a member of the Waimate Gun Club, being elected to the general committee in August 1910 and again in June 1913 when he was also appointed handicapper. At a match in late July 1913, he won a half-crown sweepstake, getting the possible. At a trophy clay pigeon match at Waimate in September, he won two sweepstakes, while his brother Humphrey tied for a third. He also belonged to the Druids. At a social function in July 1911, from 8pm till 2am “dancing was maintained with vigour under the able supervision of Bro. R. Sullivan, M.C.” He was M.C. at a send-off evening at Waituna in September 1911 and again at a wedding social in Waimate in November. His popularity as an M.C. was still present in 1912 and 1913, and at a basket social held in aid of the funds of the Waimate Brass Band in May 1914, he “kept the dancing going merrily throughout the evening”. At the beginning of May 1914, it was decided to form a third football club at Waimate – The Waimate Football Club, and R. Sullivan was appointed one of the delegates to the Rugby Sub-Union. There he was at the meeting of delegates a few days, as was H. Sullivan, probably his brother Humphrey.

The Waimate Defence Rifle Club held its first parade on 4 December 1914. “Rifles were served out, and half an hour’s lecture on the parts of the weapon was given . . . . . . Afterwards the company was divided into platoons and sections. and exercised in a few proving movements.” Among those on parade was R. Sullivan. The club would parade regularly on Friday nights. Shortly after R. Sullivan was one of many Waimate contributors to a movement to provide a Christmas gift for the Belgians, “by means of a universal one shilling subscription”.

Recruiting in South Canterbury for the main Expeditionary Force, and for the relieving force for Samoa has been carried on very satisfactorily, and the district has done its duty very well in the way of supplying men to uphold the Empire in its time of trouble and stress, reported the Timaru Herald of 14 January 1915. Richard Sullivan volunteered for service in Samoa and was with the 2nd South Canterbury Regiment which was despatched to Trentham to join the relieving force for Samoa. He enlisted on 13 January 1915 at Trentham. He was then 33 years 8 months old, employed as a chauffeur, gave his religion as Church of England, and had three children - Kathleen Grace Shirley Sullivan born on 24 August 1910 at Waimate, Phyllis Myra Sullivan born on 3 October 1911 at Waimate and Eileen (Aileen) Mary Sullivan born on 15 August 1914 at Wamate. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighed 159 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 34-38 inches. His complexion was dark, his eyes grey, and his hair dark. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed. Being free of diseases and vaccinated, he was in good bodily and mental health. His nominated next-of-kin was his wife – Mrs R. Sullivan, Waimate. On 27 March 1915 Private R. Sullivan embarked with the Infantry of the Samoan Relief Force, leaving from Auckland for Apia, Samoa, by the “Talune”. He was promoted to Corporal on 3 April.

Corporal Richard Sullivan, 19/271, Samoan Relief Force, a chauffeur of Waimate, returned to New Zealand from Samoa by the “Talune” on duty, arriving at Auckland on 19 June 1916, having been declared medically unfit for Service in Samoa. He had been employed for a year or more as a motor driver. Now he was to report for duty at Base Records on 17 July 1916. He was, however, discharged on 7 August 1916, of good character but being no longer physically fit for war service on account of illness contracted on Active Service. His prime disability was rheumatism and his progress was slow. All of his service in the Great War was in Samoa where he drove an ambulance. From April 1916, R. Sullivan appeared on Waimate’s Roll of Honour, under Answered the Call, which was published regularly in the Waimate Daily Advertiser.

Back home at Hughes Street, Waimate, Richard - again a bricklayer - and Helen had four more daughters - Margery Flora Rosaleen Sullivan born in 1917, Ethel Frances Sullivan born in 1918, Doreen May Sullivan born in 1920, and Sydney Maureen Cletus Sullivan born on 21 July 1922. On 14 June 1917, the Canterbury Land Board conducted a land ballot in Timaru, the sections being open only to discharged soldiers. R. Sullivan, of Waimate, was the only applicant for a section of 632 acres on the Kowhatu Settlement Waimate district). His application was approved in mid-July. Richard Sullivan immersed himself again in the Waimate district community. He was in a team of old Rugby players who conveyed their willingness to meet the Waimate representative team in June 1923. At the Waimate district Catholic schools’ sports in December 1927, he finished second in the married men’s race. It appears that he represented Studholme B in the Miniature Rifle match between Studholme and Willowbridge in late August 1928. Shortly after, he was an official at a boxing tournament held at Waimate, which attracted entries from all parts of Canterbury and also North Otago. Richard was very involved in boxing. In late August 1929 he was the Waimate Amateur Boxing Association’s delegate to the annual meeting of the N.Z. Boxing Council which was heled at Greymouth.

In October 1929, R. Sullivan and two shooting mates had a very frightening experience and a miraculous rescue. “Stranded for some twenty hours including all last night on a small willow tree in the middle of the Waitaki river at its worst part was the fate of three Waimate men — Messrs William Boland, George E. Bray and R. Sullivan. They were bravely rescued at 5.30 this morning, in an exhausted state, though not as bad as had been expected. The rumour current last night was that the three had been drowned, and the tale found wide-spread credence in Waimate and the district between the Waitaki. The true facts became known to-day, however, and anxiety was allayed. The three men constituted a shooting party which went out on the Waitaki yesterday. Coming down the river about 11 a.m. they were unable to avoid a willow tree in mid-stream, at the dangerous part in the vicinity of Mr Baikie’s, and the boat was swamped. This is considered the worst part of the river. They managed to clamber on to the tree out of the water and their long vigil commenced. Late in the afternoon when the party had given up hope of being discovered that day and possibly till they were missed from Waimate on Tuesday or Wednesday, a horseman was glimpsed on the Oamaru side. They shouted to him and waved a handkerchief, and the wind being favourable the horseman heard and discovered their plight. The police were soon notified. . . . . . . . . . . About 5 o’clock this morning the rescue boat, . . . . was launched, upstream from the willow tree. The boat was coolly and carefully steered past the tree, a rope with stone attached being thrown out. As luck, and probably good management, would have it, the rope went across the tree and the men there grabbed it and secured it. Had the move failed, the boat would very likely have been wrecked among the many snags in the vicinity, with serious consequences. The rescue boat was hauled up to the tree and the men taken in, passage then being made to the Oamaru side which was more easily accessible. To get back to the north side the boat was first towed a distance up the river clear of the dangerous place, and the journey across was then made. . . . . . . . . Speaking of the affair, Mr Sullivan considered they were very lucky indeed. . . . . . there had been plenty of room on the tree for all three. They tied themselves with rope to the branches to prevent falling off should they go to sleep; but there had not been much hope of sleep! . . . . . . . .” [Waimate Daily Advertiser, 29 October 1929.] In May 1930 when he faced a charge in court of driving a motor-car in a negligent manner, he pleaded not guilty. He had hit two girls, one on a bicycle and one on foot. Although he was described as a careful driver, he was found at fault and fined.

Tragedy struck Richard Sullivan, who had driven an ambulance in Samoa in the Great War, and his family on 7 May 1936. Crushed by his car which capsized over a 10ft bank after running backwards for 100 yards down a steep incline, he was killed instantly. A Waimate passenger in the car escaped unhurt. “Are you all right, Dick?” his companion called out but got no answer. The accident occurred on Major’s Hill at Stoney Creek, where Sullivan had a farm. When he attempted to change gear, the brakes failed. The inquest found that he died of suffocation when the overturned car pinned him down and his chest was crushed. Inefficient brakes were a contributing factor. He was buried in the Waimate Cemetery after a Requiem Mass at St Patrick’s Church. It appears that George Sullivan was Roman Catholic and Mary Sullivan (née Green) Anglican. His funeral was “attended by members of the Waimate R S A., Druids’ Lodge and Silver Band together with relatives and many friends. The cortege left the Catholic Church for the Waimate Cemetery where the R.S.A. firing party fired a volley at the graveside.” A motion of sympathy with Mr Richard Sullivan’s relatives was carried by the Waimate Racing Club, of which he was a member. The annual report of the South African Veterans’ Association presented in September 1936, noted with regret the passing of one of their members, Comrade Richard Sullivan, Waimate. In his Will, written in 1918, Richard left all his property to his wife, Ellen Frances Mary Sullivan and appointed her the sole executrix. One witness to his Will was another returned soldier, Francis Robert Noster, whose brother had died of wounds earlier in 1918. Richard was involved in many local activities and was an enthusiastic sportsman, with a particular interest in shooting, boxing and wrestling. He was the organiser of the first Waimate Boxing Association.

He was a brother of Humphrey Burgeim Sullivan (Paddy) who also served in World War One and returned home in 1915 after being badly wounded at Gallipoli. Both Richard and Humphrey enlisted early in the war (January 1915). Another brother, William Sullivan, registered at Waimate in March 1916, by which time Paddy had returned home. Richard’s two eldest daughters, Myra and Shirley, remembered him in 1938. Just two months later they mourned the fourth of the seven daughters of Richard and Helen. Margery Flora Rosaline Sullivan died after a long illness at Petone where Myra lived, aged twenty years, and was buried at Waimate. Richard’s widow, Helen Frances Mary, died on 7 June 1942 at Waimate and was buried with Richard. Myra Cleverley died in 1951, Frances Bryson in 1983, Maureen Harkin in 1984, both Shirley Bishop and Doreen Cowlishaw in 1985, and Aileen Edwards in 1999. Four of Richard’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, James in 1959, Caroline (Pluck) in 1959, Thomas in 1962, Charles in 1961, Humphrey in 1974, and Mary in 1910.

What of George and Mary, the parents of Richard and Humphrey 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 (2) [26 August 2013; 06 November 2022]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK18805 W5553 0110745) [03 April 2014]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK18805 W5515 0005409) [10 January 2015]; Timaru Herald, 8 & 9 May 1936, 12 May 1936 (Timaru District Library) [22 & 24 April 2014]; Probate Richard Sullivan (Archives NZ/FamilySearch) [10 April 2014]; School Admission records (Oamaru Branch NZSG) [06 May 2014]; Probate Helen Frances Mary Sullivan (Archives NZ/FamilySearch) [10 January 2015]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [10 January 2015]; Timaru Herald, 9 November 1889, 6 September 1913, 14 January 1915, 20 June 1916, 15 June 1917, 13 July 1917, 31 March 1920, 12 February 1930, 27 February 1930, 7 May 1930, 8, 9, 11 & 12 May 1936, 18 June 1936, 26 September 1936, 17 December 1941, South Canterbury Times, 9 November 1889, Waimate Daily Advertiser, 3 & 15 April 1902, 31 May 1909, 3 August 1910, 28 July 1911, 11 August 1911, 18 September 1911, 18 September 1911, 13 November 1911, 1 May 1912, 23 April 1913, 30 June 1913, 1 August 1913, 4, 8 & 15 May 1914, 29 July 1914, 5 & 8 December 1914, 14 January 1915, 15 November 1915, 14 March 1916, 20 April 1916, 15 & 22 June 1916, 22 July 1922, 22 June 1923, 19 & 23 April 1927, 16 December 1927, 1 September 1928, 31 August 1929, 29 October 1929, Press, 7 April 1902, 31 March 1920, 8 & 11 May 1936, 20 July 1938, 8 June 1942, 28 July 1945, 2 February 1959, 3 October 1959, 28 November 1959, 6 October 1962, Western Star, 2 February 1904, 26 April 1904, Evening Star, 23 April 1904, New Zealand Times, 15 June 1916, Dominion, 15 June 1916, New Zealand Herald, 17 June 1916, Mataura Ensign, 28 January 1907, 31 March 1920, 1 April 1920, Southland Times, 31 March 1920, 1 April 1920, Otago Daily Times, 9 May 1936, 28 July 1945, Evening Post, 7 May 1938, 20 July 1938 (Papers Past) [05 November 2013; 14 & 15 December 1914, 20 March 2017; 13 June 2022; 21 October 2022; 01, 02, 03, 04, 10, 13, 14 & 15 November 2022]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au); Waimate Cemetery records (Waimate District Council) [11 January 2015]; Newspaper article “130 Sullivans reunite” – undated & unsourced (1978/1979, Waimate)

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• SULLIVAN Richard - newspaper clippings (pdf, 1.5 MB updated 25-Nov-2022)

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