Personal info
- Name: John SULLIVAN
- D.O.B: 20th Apr, 1830
- D.O.A: 10th Apr, 1855
- D.O.D: 28th Jun, 1884
- Award: Victoria Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Boatswain’s Mate, HMS Rodney, Naval Brigade, Royal Navy
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 1
No 5 Battery, outside Sevastopol, Russia Circa 10 April 1855
10 April 1855
The Crimean War
On 9 April 1855 the Allies began their Second Bombardment of Sevastopol, which continued until 18 April. Meanwhile, from within the besieged city, the Russians continued artillery attacks on the Allied positions which posed an increasing threat to them.
Citation
Recommended by Sir S. Lushington, “For having on or about the 10th April, 1855, deliberately placed a flag on a mound, in a very exposed position, under a heavy fire, to enable Battery No. 5 to open fire upon a concealed Russian Battery that was doing great execution on one of our advanced works.” This was reported by Commander Kennedy, commanding the Battery. Commander Kennedy speaks of this act in high terms of praise, and observed that John Sullivan’s “gallantry was always conspicuous.” (Despatches from Admiral Lord Lyons, 5th December, 1855, and 10th May, 1856.)