Bombardier Nicholas George Koorey “was the first Australian casualty of the Syrian Campaign". Australians who fought in this campaign were mostly in what is now Lebanon. Nicholas Koorey and his brothers operated a drapery shop in Queanbeyan, but closed because the four brothers all decided to join the services. Their parents, George and Mary Koorey, lived at 68 Cardigan Street Stanmore, NSW.

Nicholas George was born at Ballina on 4th May 1915 and he worked as a mercer and hatter before enlisting at Queanbeyan on 5th June 1940. He served with the 2/6 Field Regiment RAA and died due to wounds on 20 June 1941. He is buried in the Beirut British War Cemetery Grave 2.G.1. Three brothers also served: Richmond Dan Koorey, C. Company, 2/2 Machine Gun Battalion A.I.F, Private Kelvin Norman Koorey, 2/1 Australian Pioneer Battalion; and Corporal Albert Joseph Koorey, B. Company 2/3 Battalion, A.I.F.