Robert Halligan is something of an enigma. The only way that I can understand him is to think of all the men who went to war, found their niche in combat, but returned fundamentally damaged.
On October 20, 1916, Robert was found guilty of a number of charges - 1) being in Paris-Plage; 2) producing a false pass; 3) being in possession of firearms and ammunition.
This date coincides with a soldiers' mutiny in the camp at Etaples which began on August 8. Paris Plage was on the other side of the Canche. It was "officers' territory," and a guard was placed on the Canche bridge to prevent non-officers from crossing. Just what Robert was doing there, armed and with a false ID, is not revealed in his Army record. Nor is the reason that the only punishment he suffered for the offences was the fortfeiture of five days' pay. The Official History of Robert's Regiment, the Canterbury Infantry, has no mention of the affair at Etaples.
One week after his punishment, he was promoted to temporary Lance Corporal, a rank made permanent two months later. He was awarded the Military medal at the end of 1917 and the DCM nearly a year later, at about the same time being classified as medically unfit for further service.
I can only suggest that his lenient treatment by the authorities, combined with his decorations for active service, mean that he was one of the many men who was indispensible in action and that his unruliness behind the lines was tolerated. But, still, five days' pay for being found armed and with a false pass seems very strange.
COACH ACCIDENT.
ON OTIRA GORGE TRIP
SEVERAL PERSONS INJURED
It was fairly late when the Otira express arrived here last night, and the fact that news had been circulated to the effect that an accident had occurred to one of the coaches, brought a large number of excited people to the station to see its arrival. The mishap seems to have taken place about a mile from Otira, and to have been caused by the breaking of the king bolt on one of the coaches.
Many will remember the serious accident that took place at Sandy's Hill, Kumara, about 30 years ago, due to the breaking of the king bolt, when a man named White was killed and many of the passengers severely injured. From what we have been told by those who were on the scene of yesterday's accident they seem to have had an almost miraculous escape. The passengers seem to have had only a few seconds' warning of what was going to occur, and no doubt less damage resulted than if the collapse had come upon them with less suddenness. The most serious case seems to be that of Sergeant Halligan, who was returning to his home at Reefton, and who sustained a double fracture of the arm and also some injuries to his head. Private Bullman, also a returning man, in his way to Reefton, received rather severe injuries. The driver, who it is stated, was dragged along some distance and thrown out on his head, received a severe shaking, aa did all the other passengers (twelve in number), who escaped with more or less injury.
A PASSENGER'S NARRATIVE.
Mr. J. Lewis, of Timaru, accompanied by his wife and daughter, were occupants of the upturned vehicle, and in an interview with a "Star" reporter, stated that in the coach there were about twelve passengers and also luggage. When about three-quarters of the way down the gorge and about 150 yards from a hematite-painted bridge, the coach started to swing. Mr. Lewis and his daughter were on the extreme right, so when the vehicle fell to the left they were ejected a considerable distance into the air, and were showered down with the rest of the passengers over the ridge by the roadside. He crawled up to the road, where someone asked him if he was all right. By this time the coach was being dragged on its side along the road towards the bridge, into which it crashed and was smashed to pieces, the two front wheels and the horses coming away from the coach. A returned soldier with a fractured arm was lying on the ground after a miraculous escape. Another returned man had a broken arm and was bleeding at the head. Mr Lewis said he wondered that they were not all killed. Mrs. Lewis and her daughter were both feeling the effects of the accident, the daughter having sustained injuries to her left arm. On visiting the doctor this morning he was told it would be some time before he would be able to go to work. The road, he remarked, was marked with blood, one of the horses breaking its fetlock, he thought that the animal would have to be shot.
RETURNED SOLDIER'S VERSION.
A returned soldier, one of the passengers on the outside of the coach, made the following statement: The first signs of an accident came with the snapping of the king bolt when the front of the coach lifted, swung in mid-air for a, time, then lurched toward the left, throwing all the passengers out except the driver (J. Searle) and a returned man, who remained in the vehicle for about the distance of 100 yards when the horses and the two front wheels broke away from the rest of the coach, and bolted along the gorge.
ANOTHER SOLDIER'S ACCOUNT.
Private E. O'Donnell, a returned soldier, the only passenger who travelled inside the coach, states as follows: As the air was fairly cool he was travelling inside with a rug wrapped round him, when suddenly the coach seemed to swerve and fell right over on to its side, and threw him against the wall and then the floor of the moving vehicle. His foot was jambed once between the road and the door, but extricating himself from the baggage inside he struggled out by climbing through the door above him, and fell out on to the road. He did not feel the effects of the accident very much, although, he said, his shoulder was bruised and sore to-day from the effect of his fall.
A FREQUENT TRAVELLER'S , ACCOUNT. Mr E. G. Cotter, of the firm of Cotter and Mackenzie, Greymouth, who has made the passage across the gorge on scores of occasions, states: After the swaying and swinging of the coach indicated that the king bolt was awry the coach proceeded fifteen or twenty yards, being skilfully piloted by the driver alongside the stone wall, so that any risk to the passengers could be minimised as far as was humanly possible. The passengers also state great credit is due to the driver for his skill, promptness, and quickness of mind in averting what looked at the beginning like a very serious accident to life and limb. The driver (Joe Searle) pluckily stuck to the reins, and was dragged along a considerable distance.
THE INJURED MEN'S CONDITION
Word has been received from our Reefton correspondent that Sergeant Halligan was admitted to the Reefton Hospital after the arrival of the train last night, and it was found that his shoulder was dislocated and that he was much bruised about the head. This morning he was very sore and feeling the effects of his fall most severely. -Greymouth Evening Star, 27/9/1918.
Personal Pars
Sergeant Halligan, the returned soldier. injured yesterday in the coach accident on the Otira Gorge, has 'won the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal at the front. His many friends will hope that, after his arduous work on the battlefield, the injury which he has now sustained so far away from \the front will not more than temporarily retard his complete recovery. -Grey River Argus, 27/9/1918.
DEEDS THAT WON THE DCM (excerpt)
On one occasion, at a most critical moment, when his platoon was forced to withdraw, 6/3335 Sergeant R. H. Halligan, M.M. Canterbury Regt., established himself single-handed in a shellhole to cover the retirement with a Lewis gun; but he was able to bring such a destructive fire on the enemy that the platoon was able to advance again and reoccupy the position. His courage, cheerful behaviour in difficulties, and initiative have always been a fine example to the men of his platoon. -Evening Post, 17/1/1919.
Sergeant R. H. Halligan, a returned soldier, writes: Sir — kindly allow me space to thank the Reefton Patriotic Association for the kindness shown towards me as a returned soldier. I don't intend to stay long in this district, but wherever I do go I shall never forget the Reefton people. -Inungahua Times, 27/2/1919.
Mr R. H. Halligan, late Sergeant of the 8th Reinforcements has arrived in Hokitika where he purposes taking up his residence. At the war Mr. Halligan won the D.C.M. and the M.M. and has been recommended for the Meritorious Service medal, so that eventually he will have a triple decoration. He had charge of a Lewis Gun team and was in most of the principal stunts carried out by the New Zealanders in France and Belgium. Mr Halligan enlisted in Reefton, where he is to he married next week before settling down in Hokitika. -Hokitika Guardian, 26/3/1919.
BUSH TRAGEDY
SEAVIEW ATTENDANT’S DEATH.
EVIDENCE AT INQUEST.
(Special to the “Star”). HOKITIKA, January 6. The body of a young man, Robert Henry Halligan, attendant at the Mental Hospital, was found last evening, hanging from a tree in German Gully, Arahura district.
Deceased was a returned soldier and had a distinguished service, holding the D.C.M. He suffered from shell shock and also from the effects of a coach accident on his way home. He was secretary of the Returned Soldiers’ Association at Ross. For some time he had been in depressed spirits. He leaves a wife and family of four young children.
At an inquest before Mr Evans, coroner, this morning, Sergt. King gave evidence to the effect that from information received he went to the Arahura Road on the German Gully track about seven miles from Hokitika last evening. At 7.45 he found a coat and hat alongside the road in a gravel pit. After a further search in the bush in a gully, he discovered the body hanging from a tree. It was hanging from a rope from a konini tree. With the assistance of Constable McNaulty, he cut the body down and brought it to the morgue. On examination he found the body in an advanced state of decomposition and unrecognisable. A wristlet watch was on the left wrist and a ring on the little finger of the left hand. In the pockets of the coat he found a letter addressed to Mr Halligan, dated August 8, 1922.
Jack Thomas, attendant at the Mental Hospital, giving evidence, said that he knew deceased, and saw him alive five weeks ago. Deceased was an attendant at the Mental Hospital. He was a returned soldier. Witness saw the body in the morgue and identified it as that of Robert Henry Halligan by the tattoo marks on the forearm and tips of the fingers. The tattoo was a copy of the regimental badge with the 8th in Roman figures. He did not know that deceased was addicted to drink; he had been on leave for 30 days and was due to start again last Thursday week, December 28, but did not do so.
At the suggestion of Sergt. King the inquest was adjourned till 3 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon. -Greymouth Evening Star, 6/1/1923.
The funeral of the late Sergeant R. H. Halligan, M.M., D.C.M., was largely attended at Hokitika on Sunday, and Rev Dr Kennedy conducted the burial service. Subsequently a meeting of returned soldiers decided to open a list in order to assist the young family of their late comrade, the members of the Mental Hospital stall co-operating. -Grey River Argus, 9/1/1923.
BUSH TRAGEDY
EX-SOLDIER’S DEATH.
INQUEST AND VERDICT.
(Own Correspondent.)
HOKITIKA, January 11. At the Police Station yesterday afternoon the inquest regarding the death of Robert Henry Halligan was resumed before Mr D. J. Evans, coroner.
John Thomas Roberts said that he last saw deceased alive on Thursday morning, December 28, between 10 and 11 o’clock, at the Fire Station on Gibson Quay. His condition was normal. There was nothing in the conversation to lead witness to believe that deceased contemplated taking his life. Witness knew him at Ross, where his conduct was not unusual. He was reticent and did not talk about his own affairs.
Maud Margaret Halligan, wife of deceased, said that she had been married four years and had four children. Her late husband was an attendant at the Mental Hospital. He gave no indication that he was tired of life and never threatened her. He was prohibited in Ross on June 6 and did not touch drink till Christmas Day. He was always very reserved and quiet, which she believed was the effects of the war. He had headaches. There was no disagreement between them. He did not give any indication that he contemplated such a deed. He went to the races on Tuesday. He slept at home that night and went to the races next day — Wednesday. Slept at home that night. On Wednesday completed his thirty days’ leave from the Mental Hospital, and he was to resume duty on Thursday morning at 6.30. He left home at 6.35 in his uniform saying that he was going to work. He was away ten minutes and came back again. He said his head was very bad and witness gave him a cup of strong tea. He took his uniform off when he came back. He explained that he had met the night watchman, who said he was late and had better not to go on duty as there were enough hands on. He then went away and got a drink; was away ten minutes. He stayed a few minutes with his head on his hand and said he would go up and report himself that he would not go on duty that day; his head was very bad then. It was when he was sober that he complained of his head. He had an accident on the Otira coach when coming back from the war, and was in the Reefton Hospital for five months suffering from the effects of the accident. He left home finally about a quarter to eight. Witness thought that he had gone on duty and did not worry about his absence, as it was often late when he came home at night. When he came home on Christmas Day he went to bed. He was all right on Boxing morning, but came home from the races slightly intoxicated. He said that he had about £8 to start the races. On the second day he came home very wet and intoxicated. After tea he sobered up and went for his uniform. He said that he had won between £48 and £50 on the second day’s races. Witness had no idea what became of the money; he did not show it to her. He said that a man from the South was holding it for him, but witness saw the man who said he knew nothing about it. Witness was quite satisfied that the story about the money was not correct. Deceased was very fond of his children. He was out searching for an escaped inmate when he may have gone up Arahura way. His state of health was generally good. He received a war pension. He was gassed at the war and was medically examined in November last. The pension was to be discontinued in February (next month). He was not worried about money matters and witness could not account for his action. He did not sleep well at nights. He was aged 36 and was a native of Victoria, and was awarded the M.M. and D.C.M. at the war, the latter being presented by King George. He was also awarded the meritorious medal, which, however, had not been received.
Sergeant King stated that when found the body was dressed in trousers, braces, shirt, tan boots, singlet, drawers and socks; it had neither coat nor hat on. The rope by which deceased hanged himself was taken from a tool shed on the Arahura Road, and was the property of the Westland County Council. No money was found on the body.
The coroner returned a verdict of suicide whilst deceased’s mind was temporarily unbalanced.
The coroner expressed his sympathy with the widow and family. -Greymouth Evening Star, 11/1/1923.
WEDDING
FLYNN — HALLIGAN. A quiet but pretty wedding was solemnised at the Catholic Church, Ikamatua, yesterday, when Mr Maurice Flynn, of Hukarere, was married to Mrs Maude Halligan (widow of the late R. H. Halligan of Hokitika). The nuptial mass was celebrated by the Rev Father Ginisty of Reefton. The bride who was given away by her father, Mr J. Foster, looked smart in a fawn gabardine costume, neatly braided, and hat to match, and carried a prayer book. The bride was. attended by her sister, Miss Eileen Foster, as bridesmaid, who wore a dainty frock of old gold figured jersey silk, and wore a hat to match. She also carried a prayer book. Mr Pat Flvnn ably carried out the duties of best man. The bridegroom’s present to the bride was a handsome diamond ring, and to the bridesmaid a gold wristlet watch. After the ceremony, the wedding breakfast was held at the residence of Mr and Mrs Prendegast (Ikamatua, and was attended by a number of relatives and friends. Later in the afternoon Mr and Mrs Flynn departed on their honeymoon for South Westland, amid showers of rice and confetti. The presents were numerous and costly, including many cheques. -Grey River Argus, 17/9/1925.
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