1/5th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment.

Awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 16 July 1918.

Sullivan was a native of Hapton, Lancashire.

From the Burnley Express, MILITARY MEDAL FOR HAPTON AMBULANCE MAN. Private James Sullivan (242186), East Lancashire Regiment., T.F., and who previous to enlistment, was a member of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade, has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery displayed under heavy shell fire. After his enlistment he received training at Southport and Oswestry, and was drafted to Egypt, and afterwards to France. Sergeant A. Kerr, of the same regiment, writing home a few days ago, stated that Sullivan was a fearless and excellent soldier, and certainly ought to have honour for his actions. Previous to enlistment, the Hapton Manufacturing Company employed Private Sullivan as a clothlooker. The St. John's R.C. Church have already a creditable honours list, and this award adds more, as Sullivan was a member of that church.






From the Burnley Express of 8 February 1919, PRESENTATION OF MEDALS AT PADIHAM. At the Padiham Grand theatre, on Tuesday night last, two more Military medals were presented, one being to Private Pilkington, of 13, Guy Street, Padiham, and the other to Private J. Sullivan, of 17, Altham Street, Padiham. The medals were presented by Councillor Wiggins, vice-chairman of the Urban District Council, and were pinned on by Mr. Joseph Hargreaves. There were also present Mr. R.T. Whitehead, Mr. Arthur Ford (chairman of the Padiham Branch of "The Comrades of the Great War" section of Discharged Soldiers Association), and ex-Sergeant Brown (chairman of the Discharged Soldiers Association). Councillor Wiggins, at the outset, read out the War Office report of the deeds which had earned the honours conferred, as follows: - Private Sullivan, East Lancashire Regiment: - "For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during the action on the 25 - 28 March 1918, near Gomicourt. Whilst acting as battalion runner this soldier repeatedly delivered important messages under heavy shell fire. His work was performed willingly and speedily, though continuously exposed to very great danger." Councillor Wiggins expressed his great appreciation of the noble deeds that the men had done, and the honour they had bestowed on themselves and the town, and hoped they would live long and conduct themselves in civil life in such a manner as to be a further honour to themselves and the community at large. He further spoke in the highest terms of the work that had been done in the town by the civilian population, and he especially commended the Padiham Women's Emergency Association, who had done great work.