Pte 21996 John O'Sullivan

• Age: 19
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 2nd March 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.D.24

John was born on the 11th June 1896, the eldest child of John, a labourer, born in Liverpool in 1873, and his wife, Catherine (nee Wood), also born in Liverpool. John was baptised on the 23rd August 1896 at St Clement's Church, Toxteth, his parents' residence at the time 18 Buttermere Street. His parents married in 1896; records have been found for 13 children, seven of whom survived to adulthood.

After the birth of John, twins Thomas and Ellen lived only hours. Other siblings include Alexander, Samuel, Charles (who died at 10 months), Catherine, Eleanor, Mary Ann (died at 3 months, and George (5 months).

In 1901his parents live in a Court house in Maynard Street, Liverpool with their three young sons; John 4, Alexander 1, and newborn Samuel. Their father is a labourer in an iron foundry.

Baby Samuel died later that year, at 6 months old.

In January 1910 a John O'Sullivan, 37, a labourer in Milner's Safe Company of Smithdown Lane, was bound over for theft of solder, gunmetal and brass from his employer.

In 1911, his parents are living at House 3, 2 Court, Bancroft Street, Liverpool. John, a 38 year old dock labourer, and Catherine, aged 34  live with one of their sons, Alexander (described as an "imbecile"), aged 11 years and two young daughters Catherine, 5 and Eleanor, 3. Catherine declares that she and John have been married for 15 years and have had 9 children, 5 of whom had died. This obviously leaves 4 children living - Alexander, his 2 sisters and John junior.

Three more daughters were born after the census: Margaret in 1912, Elizabeth 1914 and Annie in 1921. 

The 1911 Census shows a John O’Sullivan, aged 14 years and born in Liverpool, as being an inmate at the Heswall Nautical School. It  seems likely that this is John as his was the only birth of that name in Liverpool of the right age. The ship was originally an ex-Navy ship, the “Akbar”, moored at Rock Ferry, which was used as a floating reformatory for 200 boys by the Liverpool Juvenile Reformatory Association. In 1905 it became Heswall Nautical School and moved onto dry land. It was later to become the Akbar Nautical Approved School. Whilst we cannot be certain that this was our John, it seems likely.

Unfortunately, nothing has been found in the local newspapers to explain why John was sent away.

In 1908 another boy, aged 12, was sent to a reformatory ship for five years for stealing 10 shillings.
 
As well as navigation, signalling, and mathematics, the boys at Heswall were taught tailoring. They could also develop musical skills in the school's military band. The boys participated in local athletic festivals and fairs, giving displays of various drills, including the grand march-past, living pyramids, vaulting horse, etc.

In October 1910, the weekly magazine John Bull published an account of "Reformatory School Horrors — How Boys at the Akbar School are Tortured — Several Deaths". The story was based on information revealed to the paper by the former deputy superintendent and matron at the Heswall School.

A Government enquiry report into the management and discipline of boys committed to Heswall Nautical School for reformatory treatment was issued in February 1911. There had been, it was alleged, systematic ill-treatment of the boys by excessive and brutal floggings and illegal punishments resulting in ill health and actual death, also deliberate cruelty by semi-starvation, insufficiency of food and general neglect and violence.  No justification was found for the charge that death had followed from the caning of any boy found malingering while actually ill, or boys being gagged before being caned and birched. It was recommended that the government lay down much more specifically the exact nature of corporal punishment, the offences for which it may be given, and the conditions under which it should be administered.  

John Bull stood its ground, calling the report a "white-washing" and claiming that staff at the school who had spoken out against its principle, Captain Beuttler, had been threatened by a Home Office Inspector.  As a result of the continuing disquiet over the affair, Home Secretary Winston Churchill appointed a Departmental Committee to conduct a broad review of Reformatories and Industrial Schools.

It is not known how long John spent in the reformatory school, or when he was released.

On 04^th November 1914, he enlisted at Liverpool, joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 21996 giving his trade/calling as bugler and his age as 18 years 112 days. He was described as being 5' 3 and a half inches tall, weighing 112 lbs, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes, and dark brown hair. He has an appendicitis scar. He gave as next of kin his parents John and Kate at 15 Linden Street.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

In February and March of 1915 he was admitted to hospital; with minor ailments - boils and stomach ache.

On 10^th July 1915, at Grantham, he was found guilty of being absent from camp without permission and being found in possession of another man’s letter. He was sentenced to 28 days detention by Court Martial. 

On 16^th October 1915, at Larkhill, he was sentenced to 168 hours detention for absenting himself from his guard without permission, and awarded 3 extra guards - an offence which 12 months later might well have warranted execution. 

John embarked with his battalion for France on 07th November 1915, disembarking at Boulogne.

On 2^nd March 1916, he was killed in action.

The Liverpool Echo report of his death states : 

“Mrs O’Sullivan of 15 Linden Street has received news that her son, of 17^th Battalion, has been killed in action, death being instantaneous. He joined the Pals on the outbreak of war and was drafted to France in November. He was 19 years of age and previously attended Chatsworth Street School. His Lieutenant speaks very highly of his bravery and his great popularity with his comrades”.

If John is identical with the boy aboard the “Akbar”, it was not unknown for inmates of Borstals and other places of detention to be released on condition that they joined the Army, despite often being under age.