Private Gregory Vaughan Foran, 7th General Service Reinforcements, AIF
Australian War MemorialGregory Foran was born in 1895 in Oberon, New South Wales, the son of Michael and Priscilla Foran. The family later moved to nearby Bathurst, where Gregory attended St Philomena’s School. After leaving school, he became a farm labourer.
Foran was employed on his uncle’s farm near Cowra when a recruiting drive took place in New South Wales in April 1918. The second of two such drives led by the returned infantry captain and former politician, Campbell Carmichael, the drive was known as “Carmichael’s Thousand”. Foran volunteered for service in the Australian Imperial Force at Bathurst and travelled to Liverpool Camp to undertake his initial training.
Foran was sent to embark for Europe at the end of June. On 19 June 1918, Foran was travelling on a tram in Redfern, when he fell from the tram and fractured his skull. He was taken to the garrison hospital at Victoria Barracks, and died the next day. He was 22 years old.
Further grief was in store for Foran’s family. His brother, Lance Corporal Vincent Charles Foran, also joined the AIF. He was twice wounded in action and in September 1918 was killed in action at Peronne in northern France.
Gregory Foran was buried in the Catholic section of Bathurst Cemetery.
Vaughan Foran, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.
- AWM Honour roll https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1732006
