January 15, 1923 - January 17, 1943
Frederick Alexander Sullivan was the son of Jeremiah Brown (storekeeper) (deceased) and Jeanne (nee Tarves) Sullivan of Sullivan Station, British Columbia. He had five brothers and seven sisters, one who died at age of 2 of pneumonia. The family was Roman Catholic.
He had just finished school when he enlisted with the RCAF in April 1941. He had been with the Lord Tweedsmuir Cadets in Cloverdale, Surrey, BC, with rank of Cadet L/Col. He listed target shooting, where he won medals, as a hobby. He enjoyed basketball, baseball, and swimming. He wanted to continue in the RCAF after the war. He was assessed in September, 1941: "Good material and keen to fly." He stood 5' 7" tall, weighed 133 pounds and had brown eyes and brown hair. "This candidate is a fine young fellow. Keen to serve. Eager to finish his Junior Matriculation this June. Free and easy talker. Keen sportsman. Should make good aircrew material."
He arrived at the RAF Trainees' Pool on April 29, 1942 and was at 56 Squadron by October 20, 1942, spending time at 3 PRU, 5 (P) AFU , and 55 OTU.
He had four offences listed on his general conduct sheet, one at No. 32 EFTS, and the other three at No. 56 OTU. "Certified no entry."
On October 6, 1942, he suffered a subconjuctival hemorrhage from the effects of negative G. See file above for more information.
On November 24, 1942, he was involved in an accident and was uninjured, flying Typhoon 1B R8745 on a non-operational flight. Sullivan was practicing low flying formation and Rhubarb attacks in No. 4 position when he struck the top of a tree. He was unable to reduce his RPM below 2200 revs at 2 lbs boost when he attempted to return to base. He was praised at being able to carry out a successful wheels down landing with a dead engine. However, the accident was due to lack of low flying experience. See files above for more information.
Sgt Sullivan was flying Typhoon 1B R7854, on January 17, 1943, near Brinton, Norfolk, when his aircraft crashed at approximately 1210 hours while on a non-operational day flight while practicing interception. Sullivan sustained multiple injuries and burns. See files above for more information.
Sgt. F. A. Sullivan was buried in Scottow Cemetery, Norfolk on January 21, 1943. He was identified by his personal identification and documents he had on his body.
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