Wikipedia:WikiProject Military history/Assessment/Arthur Sullivan (Australian soldier)

Article promoted by Hawkeye7 (talk) via MilHistBot (talk) 03:20, 30 December 2019 (UTC) &laquo; Return to A-Class review list

Arthur Sullivan (Australian soldier)
Instructions for nominators and reviewers
 * Nominator(s): 

The final instalment of the South Australian Victoria and George Cross recipients project I've been working on. Sullivan enlisted to serve in World War I, but didn't complete training before the war ended. Instead, he sought discharge and enlisted in the British Army's North Russia Relief Force which was part of the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War. During operations there he saved several members of his unit, including a minor member of the nobility, during an ambush at a river crossing, and was awarded the VC. He returned to Australia and had a successful banking career before dying in an accident while a member of the Australian Coronation Contingent in London in 1937. Have at it. Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 07:24, 5 November 2019 (UTC)

Just noting I'll be largely incommunicado 8-17 December, but will address any comments as soon as I get back from holidays. Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 09:38, 7 December 2019 (UTC)

Support: I reviewed this one at GAN, and not a lot stands out to me. I have a few minor suggestions: AustralianRupert (talk) 10:31, 8 November 2019 (UTC)
 * there are no dab, ext links all work (no action required)
 * Australian War Memorial is overliked in the Legacy section
 * on a wide sweeping approach march through the thick forest of nearly 31 miles (50 km) --> "on a wide sweeping approach march of nearly 31 miles (50 km) through the thick forest"?
 * It seems that Sullivan did not take to --> " It seems that Sullivan did not take to"
 * Due to legislative requirements, Sullivan's inquest was conducted over his coffin: I'm not quite sure what this means
 * Apparently the deceased's body had to be in the court. Tweaked. Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 06:07, 9 November 2019 (UTC)
 * No worries, that's much clearer now. Regards, AustralianRupert (talk) 07:31, 9 November 2019 (UTC)
 * in the References, Staunton --> Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 12?
 * in the Further reading section, "1918-20" --> endash
 * Thanks for taking another look, . The volume doesn't show up because the ADB citation is a web one. Rest done. Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 06:07, 9 November 2019 (UTC)

Comments Support by CPA-5

 * Do we really have to add WWI in the infobox? I mean he barely saw action in the war so does it really count?
 * He got medals for it, for Australians, leaving our shores was enough to qualify. Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 23:55, 24 November 2019 (UTC)
 * What kind of medals? Cheers. CPA-5 (talk) 11:19, 28 November 2019 (UTC)
 * The British War Medal and Victory Medal. Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 23:24, 28 November 2019 (UTC)

That's anything from me. Cheers. CPA-5 (talk) 16:56, 24 November 2019 (UTC)
 * brigade commanded by Brigadier General Lionel Sadleir-Jackson No hyphen between Brigadier General? Some sources use hyphens in the ranks in the Commonwealth forces before and during WWII.
 * Not in the sources I'm using. Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 23:55, 24 November 2019 (UTC)
 * The commanding officer of the 45th RF was Lieutenant Colonel Charles Davies Same as above.
 * Ditto. Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 23:55, 24 November 2019 (UTC)
 * and travelling via Murmansk landed at Archangel on 20 June Maybe add that Murmansk already in Russia. I mean I know it is in Russia because I know my geography in Europe but I can believe that some Europeans or even non-Europeans don't know it is in Russia.
 * Clarified. Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 23:55, 24 November 2019 (UTC)
 * take the villages of Sludka and Lipovets from the rear No link for both villages?
 * further south to attack the village of Kochamika Same as above?
 * No links available. Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 23:55, 24 November 2019 (UTC)
 * were less than 30 killed with over 100 wounded. [50][51] Remove the unnecessary space here.
 * Done. Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 23:55, 24 November 2019 (UTC)
 * decided to give Sullivan a gratuity of £100 Was this the Aussies' pound or the British one plus link it too?
 * Australian, linked. Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 23:55, 24 November 2019 (UTC)
 * The NRRF was a 8,000-strong force of two Typo of the article here.
 * That is what happens when I don't read it through properly. Fixed. Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 23:55, 24 November 2019 (UTC)
 * and his parents gave him permission to enlist Remove "gave him permission" and replace it with "permitted him".
 * Strictly speaking, they needed to give him a letter with their permission to enlist that he had to take to the enlistment officer, but ok. Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 23:55, 24 November 2019 (UTC)
 * Thanks for taking a look, ! All done I think. Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 23:55, 24 November 2019 (UTC)
 * I think this one is ready to go. Cheers. CPA-5 (talk) 10:45, 1 December 2019 (UTC)

Comments Support by Zawed
This one is looking pretty good, just a few nitpicks: That's my comments done Zawed (talk) 08:11, 8 December 2019 (UTC)
 * Lead: "...sought his discharge from the AIF in May. On the same day he enlisted...": The "same day" lacks antecedence since you haven't mentioned the day previously
 * To Russia: "He was attracted by the prospect of a tour of active duty...": Because you refer to him being "attracted" later in this paragraph, I wonder if one of them ("attracted") should be dropped. I would suggest this one, rephrasing it to something like "He was interested in the prospect of a tour of active duty..."
 * To Russia: "Sullivan was attracted by the high pay and adventure." suggest "Sullivan was attracted by the high pay and potential for adventure."
 * Legacy: "the largest military funeral given to a private soldier." I'm think this is in relation to his rank in the ACC but this was given as a gunner and I'm not sure all readers will know this.
 * Legacy: "unveiled a plaque in Crystal Brook dedicated to its famous son". Perhaps clarify here the confusion about his place of birth for readers who have not read the note about his place of birth.
 * Thanks, all addressed I think. Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 05:16, 18 December 2019 (UTC)
 * All good, have added my support. Zawed (talk) 10:20, 21 December 2019 (UTC)

G'day, would you mind checking the image licensing on this please? Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 05:16, 18 December 2019 (UTC)


 * Images are appropriately licensed. Nikkimaria (talk) 00:21, 19 December 2019 (UTC)
 * Thanks Nikkimaria! Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 05:11, 19 December 2019 (UTC)

Comments Support by Pendright
I'll be back soon! Pendright (talk) 08:16, 19 December 2019 (UTC)
 * Lede:


 * Arthur Percy Sullivan, VC (27 November 1896 – 9 April 1937) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to a member of the British Armed Forces.
 * Consider this: Arthur Percy Sullivan VC, (27 November 1896 – 9 April 1937), was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to a member of the British Armed Forces.
 * Second thoughts: why the comma after Arthur Percy Sullivan? Pendright (talk) 13:49, 24 December 2019 (UTC)


 * Sullivan immediately dived in, and rescued them all, one by one, ...
 * The comma after in seems unnecessary.
 * Because it was a "deep swamp", is dived in appropriate here?


 * Sullivan was deployed to North Russia with the relief force, and following a successful attack, was a member of the rearguard of a column withdrawing across the Sheika River.
 * The first clause of the sentence is fine, but the second one is unclear.

Early life:
 * Arthur Percy Sullivan was born on 27 November 1896, at Prospect, South Australia, the only child of Arthur Monks Sullivan, a storekeeper, and his wife Eliza née Dobbs of Crystal Brook in the mid-north of the state.
 * Why the comma after 1896?


 * ...and from 1910 at Gladstone High School where he was [the] school [football] captain.
 * Consider the above [additions].

To Russia:
 * Sullivan was hospitalised with gonorrhea at Bulford between 25 November 1918 and 11 March 1919, then was promoted to acting corporal on 23 March, ...
 * Somehow, the two topics here seem too incompatibe to be part of the same sentence?


 * The NRRF was an 8,000-strong force of two brigades which included about 150 Australians who had been awaiting repatriation in the UK ...
 * Replace witch with that


 * The Australians were permitted to continue wearing [the] Australian uniform, and wore the NRRF colour patch on their sleeve.
 * Add [the]

Dvina:
 * ... a wide sweeping approach march of nearly 31 miles (50 km) through the thick forest to be in position for the attack at 12:00 on 10 August.
 * Through "a" (not the) thick foest.


 * At 12:00, the D Company column, which included Sullivan's 16 Platoon, launched its assault, although without the support of the mountain guns and cavalry which had been left behind due to the difficult terrain.
 * Replace which with that after calvary


 * ... edge of the forest by 11:00
 * edge of "a" (not the) forrest


 * Thirty minutes later, [the] British artillery, the river flotilla and aircraft began bombarding Kochamika.
 * Add [the]


 * Sullivan waded out with a piece of broken handrail from the temporary bridge which the soldier was able to grab and be pulled to safety.
 * Change which to that.


 * The fusiliers returned fire from the far bank, and suppressed the Bolshevik fire.
 * Consider linking fusioier, if it is not already linked.


 * After the river crossing, the column partly broke up into small groups which made their way back to the British lines at Troitsa about 07:00.
 * Replace which with "and then"

Australian cotingent:
 * The barracks guard came to his aid and carried him to the orderly room and he was taken to hospital, but Sullivan died soon thereafter.
 * Following thereafter, consider adding: at the age of 41.

Finished - Pendright (talk) 19:30, 21 December 2019 (UTC)
 * Thanks for your review,, I reckon I have got them all. Peacemaker67 (click to talk to me) 23:55, 25 December 2019 (UTC)
 * All comments addressed - supporting. Happy New Year! Pendright (talk) 01:24, 28 December 2019 (UTC)

Source review - pass

 * The sources used all appear to me to be reliable. I have not carried out spot checks.. I found no unattributed close paraphrasing. I consider the sources to be current, as these things go. A reasonable mix of sources have been used. Everything that I would expect to be cited, is. Gog the Mild (talk) 21:10, 29 December 2019 (UTC)