Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Corporal Halloran of the Mining Corps was attacked by a band of ruffians on January 26th out front Sydney Railway Station. A bottle was cracked over his head and he sustained a concussed brain. He never fully regained consciousness and died in Sydney Hospital on February 19th, 1916.

He was 44.

George Halloran’s brother, 3991 Corporal Thomas Halloran 2nd Battalion AIF was awarded the Military Medal for singlehandedly bombing the Germans out of a position at Bullecourt in May 1917.

The following obituary for Corporal George Halloran was printed in the Wyalong Advocate and Mining, Agricultural and Pastoral Gazette, Wednesday 23 February 1916.

“The sad news reached here on Saturday that Corporal George Hal loran had succumbed that morning as a result of the injuries which he received on the 26th January, when he was murderously assaulted at the Sydney railway station It will be remembered that deceased and a friend were attacked by a band of ruffians, and Halloran was struck on the head by a bottle. He sustained concussion of the brain, and from then till the time of his death he had not properly regained consciousness. His wife and members of the family have been in attendance at his bedside throughout.

The late Private Halloran has re sided on this field almost since its inception, and was for many years employed in the True Blue Mine. He was 44 years of age About six months ago he enlisted and joined the Miners' Battalion, and when on final leave he was made presentations of a wallet by the Recruiting Association and a gold medal by the A. M. A. He was a very familiar and popular identity, his particular hobby being the recitation of Burns' poems. He was in his element when he secured a good audience, and could lay stress upon the fact that "a man's a man for a' that." He was a great favourite with his miner comrades, and the expressions of deep regret on the news becoming known that he had succumbed to his injuries were universal and sincere. It is indeed sad to contemplate the circumstances of his tragic end. He had applied himself assiduously to his training, and his heart and soul was in the work. Then when the time for his departure to take up arms on behalf of his King and country drew near, he was stricken down by the murderous hand of one or more of his own countrymen. The sympathy of the populace is extended to the widow and children in their particularly sad bereavement.

Deceased leaves a wife and five children, one of whom (George) is a member of the "Advocate" staff.”