A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Willoughby on 18 September 1915 following the death of Edward Larkin (Labor) who was killed in action at Gallipoli.
[1] The Liberal Reform Party chose not to nominate a candidate and Charles Wade, the Leader of the Opposition, encouraged Liberals not to vote in the election, stating "it would be almost indecent to launch a fierce party contest over the grave of a man who had given his life on behalf of all parties.
"[3][4] Opposition to the Labor candidate was a source of controversy between Wade and the Premier, William Holman.
[5] A second ballot was necessary because no candidate had won an absolute majority.