Michael Mallon was born in Mullinahoe, County Tyrone. Prior to the war Michael Mallon was employed as a hammerman, presumably in the shipyard at Govan in Glasgow. He was living in Govan. Michael Mallon attempted to enlist several times but was turned down on being over age – at least 45 years old. It seems then that he finally managed to enlist and served as Gunner Michael Mallon with the Royal Field / Garrison Artillery. A newspaper report from July 1916 records that a Private Michael Mallon of Ballinderry Bridge had been wounded, mostly likely at the Battle of the Somme.