Thomas HALLEY

HALLEY, Thomas

Service Number: 200
Enlisted: Not yet discovered
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen
Born: Ireland, United Kingdom, 1873
Home Town: Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Queensland
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Bushman
Died: Nannup, Western Australia, Australia, 28 September 1946, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Nannup Cemetery, Western Australia
Memorials:
Show Relationships

Boer War Service

1 Oct 1899: Involvement Private, 200, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen
6 Mar 1901: Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 200, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 488 notes 5th QIB embarked at Pinkenba 6 Mar 1901 aboard Templemore arriving Port Elizabeth 1 Apr 1901.
9 Dec 1901: Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 200, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 5th QIB Bk 2, p. 50, notes invalided returned to Australia aboard Damascus arriving Brisbane 2 Dec 1901, discharged 9 Dec 1901.

Help us honour Thomas Halley's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Claude McKelvey

Thomas Hally (Halley) served twice in the South African (Boer) War and again in WW1. A Bio recorded for him on the Australian Boer War Memorial database, based on information provided by his grandson, confirms the three services.

First Service was as a Private S.N. 200 in the 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, Boer War. Second service was as a Corporal S.N. 137 in the 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse, Boer War. Third service was as a Private S.N. 929 in the Australian Remount Unit 1 AIF, WW1.

When he first enlisted in 1901 in the 5th QIB and his details were published (under the name Halley) with the rank and file in The Queenslander 16 Mar 1901, he noted his N.O.K. as his father J. Halley, Toowoomba. In the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 5th QIB held by Qld State Archives it notes his surname as Hally, and that his pay was directed to a joint bank account held with Margaret Hally, his mother.

When he enlisted for the Boer War again on 27 Apr 1902 his Attestation Paper noted he was 28 years of age; he worked as a bushman; his N.O.K. was his mother Mrs Hally at James St, Toowoomba; and he had previously served in the 5th QIB. It also states, and again on his WW1 enlistment, that he was born in Toowoomba but this appears incorrect and that he was born in Ireland and came as a boy to Queensland with the family. His father John passed in Toowoomba in 1901.

It is unclear when he relocated to Western Australia but he was there when he enlisted for WW1 on 17 Sep 1915 in Perth. His Attestation Form notes he; was single and 40 years 4 months old; was working as a bushman; advised N.O.K. as his mother Margaret Hally, Toowoomba; and that he had previously served in the Boer War in the 5th QIB and 7th BACH. Prior to embarking in 1915 he married Beatrice Martha Knuckey (nee Hornhardt) in Perth. The headstone on his grave at Nannup Cemetery, W.A., notes he was "Late 10th Light Horse" which is what he was listed under on the WW1 Nominal Roll.

(sources- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 497 and 533; Qld State Archves- Boer War Service Paybooks 5th QIB Bk 2, p. 50; National Archives Australia- Boer War Dossier (2nd service) and WW1 service record; Australian Boer War Memorial- database Bio).

Read more...