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A Poppy
A Poppy

Location
In the entrance hall at HMS Nelson Ward Room.

Memorial
The Boatswain John Sullivan Cabinet
 
Photograph
 Inscription

JOHN SULLIVAN
Boatswain of Portsmouth Dockyard 1873
 
Victoria Cross 10th April 1855
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal 1855, Crimea Medal, 2 bars, Inkerman & Sevastopol
Sardinian Medal for Valour, France, Legion of Honour, Turkish Crimea Medal
Royal Humane Society Silver Life Saving Medal 18th Sept 1858
 
Sullivan was a young Boatswain's mate on HMS Roxbury and when the Naval Brigade was formed was appointed captain of one of the guns from H.M.S. Terrible. He made the first breach in the Malakof and later removed to the Green Hill Battery. As the position of some Russian guns was hidden by a knoll he volunteered to plant a flag on the knoll to give the range. He dug a hole with his heel, collected stones to make the staff secure and came back unhurt although several Russian sharpshooters were firing at him. Commander Kennedy, commanding the battery, reported his bravery to Sir S. Lushington who recommended the award. Kennedy observed that Sullivan's gallantry was always conspicuous.
 
***********************************
These medals were presented by the Nova Scotian Government in exchange for the
William Hall Victoria Cross and Medals.
 


 
Further Information
There is some dispute about the Victoria Cross medal itself. Some sources say that the whereabouts of the medal is unknown, others that the original was lost and replaced, possibly at Sullivan's expense. It is not known whether the medal held in this cabinet is the original, a replacement or a replica. Further, it is not known how this medal came to be exhibited at HMS Nelson, nor are any records to hand concerning the exchange with the William Hall VC which is known to be in Novia Scotia. In his book "A History of the Royal Naval Barracks Portsmouth", published in 1961, Lieutenant DJ Dwyer records that the Hall VC was still in the wardroom, as was another awarded to Able Seaman George Hinkley, but this is now thought to be a replica.