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Auction: 14003 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 4

Family Group:
An Important Second War C.B.E., Great War 'Western Front' 1917 M.M., 1948 K.P.F.S.M. Group of Eight to Chief of Fire Staff and Inspector in Chief National Fire Service A.P.L. Sullivan, Late Corporal, Royal Field Artillery, Who Served During the Second War Co-Ordinating the Fire-Fighting Arrangements Throughout London at the Height of the Blitz, and Was Also Sent by the Home Secretary to take Temporary Charge of Southampton and Liverpool Following Enemy Air-Raids
a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Civil Division, Commander's (C.B.E.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband, in Garrard, London, case of issue
b) The Most Venerable Order of St. John, Officer's breast Badge, silver and enamel
c) Military Medal, G.V.R. (49655 Dvr: A.P. Sullivan. R.F.A.)
d) King's Police and Fire Services Medal, for Distinguished Service, G.VI.R. (Insp.-in-Chief Albert P.L. Sullivan, C.B.E., M.M., N.F.S., H.Q.), edge prepared prior to naming
e) 1914-15 Star (49655 Dvr. A.P. Sullivan. R.F.A.)
f) British War and Victory Medals (49655 Cpl. A.P. Sullivan. R.A.)
g) Defence Medal, light contact marks, traces of verdigris to star, nearly very fine, the KPFSM good very fine, mounted as originally worn, with the recipient's London Fire Brigade Good Service Medal (Station Officer A.P.L. Sullivan); and the following related documentation &c.:
- The recipient's related miniature awards
- Institution of Fire Engineers Past President's lapel Badge, gold (9ct) and enamel, the reverse engraved 'A.P.L. Sullivan C.B.E. M.M. President I.F.E. 1946-1947'
- Bestowal Document for the C.B.E., named to Albert Patrick Loisel Sullivan, and dated 8.6.1944, together with Central Chancery Investiture letter
- Bestowal Document for the M.B.E., named to Albert Patrick Loisel Sullivan, and dated 12.6.1941, together with Central Chancery Investiture letter
- Twelfth Division Distinguished Conduct in the Field Card, named to Gunner A.P. Sullivan
- Hand-written War Diary of the 12th Division Trench Mortar Batteries, covering extracts of the period 12.8.1916- 31.1.1919, together with a bound typed transcript
- The recipient's Certificate of Transfer to the Reserve, dated 23.7.1919
- London Fire Brigade Certificate of Commendation awarded to Fireman A.P.L. Sullivan, and dated 14.8.1922
- Two Institute of Fire Engineers Certificates, appointing Albert Patrick Loisel Sullivan an Associate Member, dated 1.7.1930, and an Honorary Member, dated 22.6.1971
- The recipient's National Fire Service Certificate of Service, dated 30.11.1947
- Letter to the recipient informing him of the award of the K.P.F.S.M., dated 31.12.1947
- Letter to the recipient from the Home Secretary on his retirement, dated 25.11.1947, and signed 'J. Chuter Ede'
- The recipient's Royal Artillery unit insignia and buttons
- Various portrait photographs of the recipient
- Various group photographs and newspaper cuttings

Four: Fireman W. Sullivan, Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Late Able Seaman, Royal Navy
Jubilee (London County Council Metropolitan Fire Brigade) 1897 (William Sullivan); Coronation (London County Council Metropolitan Fire Brigade) 1902, bronze (William Sullivan); London Fire Brigade Good Service Medal (William Sullivan.); Khedive's Star 1882, unnamed as issued, very fine, with a portrait photograph of the recipient

Seven: Constable P.W. Sullivan, Metropolitan Police, Late Leading Aircraftsman, Royal Air Force
1939-1945 Star; Africa Star, with North Africa 1942-43 Bar; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals; Police Long Service & G.C., E.II.R. (Const. Patrick W. Sullivan), very fine or better, last in named card box of issue, together with the recipient's Royal Air Force Service and Release Book; and a photograph of the recipient (lot)

C.B.E. London Gazette 8.6.1944 Albert Patrick Loisel Sullivan, Esq., M.B.E., M.M., Deputy Chief of the Fire Staff and Deputy Inspector-in-Chief, National Fire Service

M.B.E. London Gazette 12.6.1941 Albert Patrick Loisel Sullivan, Esq., M.M., Chief Superintendent, London Fire Brigade.

Officer, Order of St. John London Gazette 1.1.1946 Arthur Patrick Loisel Sullivan, C.B.E.

M.M. London Gazette 18.6.1917 49655 Dvr. A.P. Sullivan, R.F.A.

K.P.F.S.M. London Gazette 1.1.1948 Albert Patrick Loisel Sullivan, C.B.E., M.M., formerly Chief of Fire Staff and Inspector-in-Chief, National Fire Service Headquarters.

Chief of Fire Staff Albert Patrick Loisel 'Sully' Sullivan, C.B.E., M.M., K.P.F.S.M., born Kensington Fire Station, October 1898, the son of Fireman W. Sullivan; enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery, 14.10.1914, and served during the Great War on the Western Front from April 1915 in the Trench Mortar Batteries, 12th (Eastern) Division; promoted Corporal, 24.9.1918; discharged, 23.7.1919, and joined the London Fire Brigade, based at Manchester Square; Commended for his part in rescuing from a third floor window Mrs. Bloss, the cook of a public house on Oxford Street, after the building had caught fire, 14.8.1922; promoted Station Officer, Headquarters Waterloo Road, 9.7.1933; awarded Long Service Medal, 16.5.1935; promoted District Officer, 9.1.1938; promoted Superintendent, 1.8.1939; on the outbreak of the Second World War seconded to the Home Office 'for the purpose of assisting the Chief Officer in connection with the co-ordinating of fire-fighting arrangements throughout the London fire defence area', 4.9.1939, a period which included many of the worst air raids of the Blitz; and also sent by the Home Secretary to take temporary charge of Southampton (Acting Chief Officer), Liverpool (Acting Chief Officer), and Merseyside (Acting Fire Force Commander) following enemy air-raids; he also visited Swansea, Birmingham, Manchester, Portsmouth, Bristol, and Dover during or following enemy air-raids: 'This was not an easy task, because apart from the colossal operational problems, and in some instances low morale, there were political and "personality" complications to be overcome. "Sully", as he became known to his contemporaries and subordinates, dealt with this situation magnificently. While at the outset a visit from a senior officer of the London Fire Brigade was not always welcomed by the chief fire officer, or his committee, it soon became clear to them that they were dealing with an officer of outstanding technical ability and integrity whose easy manner and cheerfulness made co-operation less difficult than they had anticipated.' (recipient's obituary, Fire, September 1981 refers); promoted Chief Superintendent, 8.9.1940; appointed Deputy Chief of Fire Staff, National Fire Service, August 1941; additionally appointed Deputy Inspector-in-Chief, N.F.S., February 1943; whilst that the Home Office Sullivan was also involved in the preparations for D-Day, and subsequently visited France, Germany, Belgium, and Holland in connection with the organisation of the National Fire Service Overseas Column, October 1944 to April 1945; promoted Chief of Fire Staff and Inspector-in-Chief, March 1947; relinquished his command, November 1947, and appointed Chief Fire Service Officer, Ministry of Civil Aviation, 1948. Sullivan retired in 1950, and died, 28.7.1981.

Fireman William Sullivan, born Queenstown, Co. Cork, Ireland, October 1863; enlisted in the Royal Navy, and present during the Egyptian Campaign 1882; joined the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, January 1892; awarded Long Service Medal, 13.7.1907; retired, 1.8.1907.

Constable Patrick William Sullivan, born 7.4.1922, the son of Chief of Fire Staff A.P.L. Sullivan and grandson of Fireman W. Sullivan; enlisted in the Royal Air Force, 23.6.1941, and served throughout the Second World War in North Africa, 1942-43, Italy, 1943-44, and the south of France, 1944-45; discharged, 19.7.1946; subsequently joined the Metropolitan Police.

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