Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Vignacourt 14-18

WO (Class II) Edward ‘Tiny’ John Falloon
STANDING TALL

Edward Falloon was from Richmond, Victoria, and worked as an electrician before enlisting in 1914. Those who knew him described him as strongly built, standing over 6 feet tall, earning him the nickname Tiny.

He served on Gallipoli with the 2nd Field Company, Australian Engineers, and in March 1916 was sent to France.In July and August 1916 the 2nd Field Company served near the French village of Pozières. Corporal Falloon and his comrades provided support to the infantry, digging and repairing trenches and gun emplacements under some of the heaviest shell fire of the war. It was for is conduct during this battle that

Tiny Falloon was awarded the Military Medal.
The recommendation reads:
During the operations against Pozières, from the 20th to the 25th of July, he showed high courage and devotion to duty, setting a fine example to the men under him under very heavy shell fire, and inspired them with great confidence.

Through January and February 1916, the 2nd Field Company was posted around the French town of Vignacourt, and during this period Tiny visited the makeshift photographic studio of Louis and Antoinette Thuillier, and had his photo taken. He is one of a growing number of Australian soldiers who have recently been identified in the collection of glass-plate negatives discovered at Vignacourt, some of which are now in the collection of the Australian War Memorial. It is this image that is displayed today beside the Pool of Reflection. In March 1917, near the French town of Bazentin, Falloon was working with his own section of engineers and inspecting the work of another section some distance away. Both parties came under German artillery fire. Falloon led the second section to cover and, realising that the first section were still exposed, ran over 300 yards under fire to ensure that they, too, were safely under cover. His bravery in risking his own safety to ensure that of his men saw him awarded a bar to his Military Medal.

In October 1917 he was promoted to Company Sergeant Major and transferred to the 1st Field Company, Australian Engineers. He joined his new unit in Belgium, serving in areas around Ypres during the first few months of 1918. In April the Germans started the second part of their Spring Offensive around Ypres. In the early days of this offensive, Tiny Falloon was killed. As he stood in a trench with his men, a single bullet from a burst of machine-gun fire struck him through the head, killing him instantly. He was reportedly buried by his comrades on the grounds of a nearby farm, but the area was devastated in subsequent fighting, and the location of his grave was lost. His name is now recorded on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial in France

"KILLED IN ACTION.

Mr. and Mrs. Falloon, of (276) Highett street, Richmond, have been officially advised that their son, Company Sergeant-Major E. J. Falloon, was killed in action on April 10. Sergeant-Major Falloon left Australia with the First Division on October 21, 1914. He was at the landing on Gallipoli. In France he won the Military Medal, and subsequently a bar for distinguished conduct in the field. Sergeant-Major Falloon was a brother to Mr. G. M. Falloon, accountant at the State Coal Mine. He has received many messages of sympathy from a wide circle of friends, who deeply regret the sad occurrence." - from the Powlett Express and Victorian State Coalfields Advertiser 26 Apr 1918 (nla.gov.au)

"Some idea of the esteem in which Sergeant-Major Ted Falloon, recently killed in action, was held by his comrades is indicated in a letter just received by his father, Mr. E. J. Falloon, "Ayrfield," Highett-street. It is dated from France on April 30 and reads:-

"Mr. E. J. Falloon. Dear Sir, We desire to express the deepest sympathy to you and your family in thea loss of Sergeant-Major E. J. Falloon. We feel with the deepest regret the loss of such a fine soldier. There is a saying that the non-commissioned officer is the backbone of our army, and it was never truer than in his case. He was with the unit since its formation. The good name of the unit - and its name is respected - was to a large extent due to the sterling qualities of this soldier. His unswerving loyalty to his officers, his good-humored discipline with his men, his courage in action, were qualities that were apparent always. He was a fine soldier, a good friend and a manly man. He was killed during a counter attack in which his company was taking part, and died the death of a good soldier. His loss is felt and mourned by officers and men alike. Yours sincerely, G. W. Croker (capt.), F. Stanley Davidson (lieut.), W. A. Stewart (lieut.), E. G. Goodwin (sergeant)." - from the Richmond Guardian 22 Jun 1918 (nla.gov.au)