John Halvey was born in Scarsdale, VIC and was a Railway Employee by trade when he enlisted in the 5th Battalion, 15th Reinforcement on 15 July 1915 at the age of 30. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire on 7 March 1916. In 1917 he was in trouble for being absent without leave for several weeks, then was troubled by illness. On September 29th 1918 he was wounded in action, suffering a gunshot wound to the face. He returned home on the Sardinia in June 1919.

He had two brothers who also served: Pte James Hugh Halvey, 5th Pioneer Bn (Tree No 3728), returned to Australia, 12 May 1918 and Sapper Thomas Halvey, Tunnelling Companies Details (Tree No 3724), returned to Australia, 22 January 1919. all three enlisted in the same week and all three came home after the war.
Tree No 3726