John Halligan (SN 1355) was a single, 19 year old salesman when he enlisted on October 26th 1914, living at Sebastopol Street, Ballarat, educated at the Urquhart Street State School, Ballarat. He embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board the Clan Macgillivray in February 1915, serving at Gallipoli with the 7th Battalion. Wounded in May 1915 at Gallipoli with a bullet wound to his arm, he was sent to a military hospital in Malta, rejoining to his unit at Gallipoli in September 1915, only to be ill with influenza and being sent to Lemnos to recuperate. Promoted to sergeant in February 1916 and transferred to the 59th Battalion.

In France he was again promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in July 1916. In that same year, in October at Fleurbaix, France, he received a bullet to the left of his face, which resulted in the loss of 5 teeth and sent to the 3rd London Hospital for treatment. In February 1917 he was promoted to Lieutenant and rejoined his unit. On May 31st 1917 he died of wounds following the accidental detonation of a grenade on May 1st 1917. “I consider this soldier to be on duty and not to blame”, Lieutenant General Birdwood.

He is buried in the Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France. He was 21 years of age.
Inscription: "Our Loved One Gone Before"

Family: Lt Percy Chalmers, winner of Military Cross (uncle).