Major Thomas O’Halloran
Major Thomas O’Halloran was South Australia’s second Police Commissioner. Tall, imposing and ramrod straight in posture, he was a natural leader of men. A firm disciplinarian, he had served with dash and distinction in the army in India before coming to South Australia.
He resigned as Police Commissioner in 1843 in protest at Grey’s cutbacks and became a prosperous and popular gentleman farmer and horse breeder. Always innovative, he was one of the first users of the Ridley harvesting machine and became one of a few successful large wheat-growers in the province. He later entered politics and won a reputation for independence. He passed away in 1870 when approaching his 73rd birthday.
