Sullivan, J (James)
Private James Sullivan was the son of Michael and Margaret Sullivan. Born in Killarney, Ireland.
James landed in France with the 7th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, on the 18th of February 1916 at Le Harve.[1] They immediately left for Philosophe[2] were they quickly received casualties at the beginning of March.
This continued into April when on the 27th the Germans attacked, preceded by gas. The 7th and 9th supported each other but by the 29th the 7th had suffered 263 casualties, the majority from the effects of the gas. The following month they received 266 wounded, missing or dead.
July began with the 7th in reserve. That month and August turned out to be quiet. September also started well but by the 9th they were in the trenches ready to attack in a very confused battle situation.
The trenches were full of troops from several different battalions who had been driven back by German machine gun fire. The soldiers complained that they were cut to pieces by the Germans, and that the German trenches were untouched by earlier shelling. The 7th did manage to get some troops together, but many were left behind in the confusement, those that did advance were also cut down ruthlessly. The assault was a failure and by the end of the day, 105 men were dead, missing or wounded.
After this disastrous event, they moved to Locre[3] and ended the year involved in endless trench warfare.
The following year began in the same vein, trench warfare (but fortunately no major attacks.) They also spent a lot of time in reserve to recoup, regroup and rebuild.
At some stage, though Private Sullivan was being transferred (date unknown) to the 4th Battalion because of injuries, illness, or wounds.
The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 4th Battalion was also known as the Fermanagh Light Infantry. It was a reserve battalion and never left Ireland. They were based in Buncrana, Donegal.
Private Sullivan passed away in the Military Hospital, Londonderry. He was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.
Date of Death: 08/02/1917 (Aged 35)
Service: Private, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 7th, and 4th Battalion.
Service Number: 4/26455
Burial Location: Londonderry (or Derry), City Cemetery, L. Mil. 11.
[1] Le Havre is a major port in Normandy, northern France.
[2] Philosophe is in the Mazingarbe area, northern France.
[3] Locre in an area in southern Belgium, south of Ypres.