AustLit

A Victoria Cross recipient, Arthur Percy Sullivan was a banker who enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces towards the end of World War I. Although the war ended before he could be deployed, Sullivan joined the British North Russia Relief Force in mid-1919. On 10 August that year he was involved in an attack on the Dvina front that sought to demoralise and disorganize the Bolsheviks and so give time for an unhindered evacuation of North Russia. On their way back from the successful mission his unit was cut off from support and was forced to fight its way out of trouble. When an officer and three men fell from a narrow plank into a deep swamp on the Sheika River Sullivan jumped into the water and while under heavy fire rescued all four, bringing them out singly.

Following his return to civilian life Sullivan continued his career in banking. He died in England during a visit to both attend the coronation of King George VI and return the ashes of British V.C. winner Sergeant Arthur Evans who had died in Australia.