Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Lived at Creighton's Creek near Euroa, Victoria
Joined Unit 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles sailed on 15th February 1901 and attained Rank of Private
Awarded Queen's South African Medal with five clasps including Transvaal SA 1901 and SA 1902
Details of Service ....March 1901 - March 1902 in east Transvaal and Natal frontier, including defeat at Wilmansrust where 18 killed and 42 wounded (12 June 1901) and successful intervention at Onverwacht (4 January 1902)heaviest casualties of any Australian contingent at Wilmansrust suffered the costliest defeat.

From a hospital at Middelburg, Trooper Frank Halsall gave his account of the engagement at Wilmansrust : " On the night of 12th June 1901, at about 20:00 the Boers rushed the camp, the Boers got in through the pickets without being seen and when within 100 metres of the camp they opened a most terrific fire. We all had our rifles piled up (a most foolish order) and had not time to get at them, so we simply had to lie flat on the ground expecting that the fusillade would stop or slacken for a moment or so. But unfortunately it did not stop for an instant until the Boers went through the camp, shooting men down and yelling like madmen. We had 21 killed and 45 wounded. The Boers took two pom poms from us, nearly all our rifles and ammunition and such horses that were alive and then they left us . Our Doctor was killed , and it was noon next day before we could get another doctor. I have been in hospital since Saturday(four days). It took us three days to come in on bullock wagons. My wound is not too bad. I was hit on the left temple just as I was getting up.

Story taken from Australian in the Boer War.

After the war he had various jobs - fireman, tram driver, caretaker.

Son of Peter Halsall and Mary Alice Shovelton was born 14th July 1879 Longwood, Victoria.
Enlisted on 15th January 1901 in the fifth Victorian Contingent to the South African Boer War at the age of 21. He served in South Africa and received the South African War Medal with 5 clasps - Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902.. The copy of the New Testament was presented to him on his departure by the residents prior to his embarkation and which he carried with him throughout the campaign. Two of Frank's Companies served with locals who received the Victoria Cross. His interest in the Light Horse Unit was maintained for some years after his return.