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Michael James O'Halloran - Information

Michael James O’Halloran was born in Appin in 1873. He was one of four children of Thomas Patrick and Mary Ann O’Halloran. When the war began, Michael was living at 2 Bromley Terrace on Trafalgar St in Annandale and working as a salesman. His parents had also left the Campbelltown area, moving to 16 Willoughby St in North Sydney. Michael then decided to enlist in the AIF at Holsworthy on the 28th of September 1915, aged 42. After training, he was sent overseas for war service, departing Sydney on the 15th of January 1916 on the RMS Osterley.

Michael arrived in Egypt, and in late March was sent to France. A month later, he was appointed Acting Corporal with extra duty pay to the 1st ANZAC Entrenching Battalion. A few weeks later, Michael was transferred to the 2nd Infantry Battalion as a Private. He and his new unit were presently moved for operations during the Somme Offensive. During assaults at Pozières, Michael was wounded in action between the 22nd and 24th of July, hit in his left arm. He quickly recovered, and was again appointed Acting Corporal in late August. However, in early January 1917, Michael reverted back to Private and was shipped back to England the following month. He was stationed at No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, before returning home to Australia for Home Service in May. His service record states that he was invalided home for being overage. On the 13th of August 1917, he was discharged and returned to his previous life.