David Gallaher
Born 30 Oct 1873 - Died 4 Oct 1917
- Service number
- 3229 AWMM
- 32513 AWMM
- Also known as
- David Gallagher AWMM
- Dave AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- South Africa Squadron Sergeant Major AWMM New Zealand Mounted Rifles, 10th Contingent, South Island Regiment AWMM
- WW1 Sergeant AWMM Auckland Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion AWMM
- War
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 30 Oct 1873 AWMM
- Date of birth
- —
- Place of birth
- —
- Birth notes
- —
- Address before enlistment
- Pre Jan 1901 AWMM 5 Church Street, Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
- Pre Jul 1916 AWMM 10 King Street, Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
- —
- Next of kin
- Joseph C. Gallagher (brother), 5 Church Street, Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
- Mrs Ellen Ivy May Gallaher (wife), 10 King Street, Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
Wars and conflicts
- War
- Campaign
- 1914-1919 AWMM Western Front AWMM
- 1917 AWMM Passchendaele AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- 3229 AWMM
- 32513 AWMM
- Military service
- 10 Contingent, Details AWMM
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
- —
Military decorations
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
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- Branch Trade Proficiency
- —
- Enlistment
- South Africa Jan 1901 AWMM
Age 27 AWMM
Freezing Labourer/Civilian AWMM - WW1 Jul 1916 AWMM
Age 42 AWMM
Storeman/Civilian AWMM
- South Africa Jan 1901 AWMM
- Age on enlistment
- —
- Occupation before enlistment
- —
Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- South Africa Vessel was SS Cornwall AWMM Sergeant AWMM New Zealand Mounted Rifles, 6th Contingent, 16 Company (Auckland Section) AWMM New Zealand Mounted Rifles, 6th Contingent AWMM
- WW1 16 Feb 1917-02 May 1917 AWMM
HMNZT 76 AWMM Vessel was Aparima AWMM Company Sergeant Major/Military AWMM 22nd Reinforcements, Auckland Infantry Regiment, A Company AWMM New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM
2nd Embarkation AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
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- Days interned
- —
- Liberation date
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- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
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- POW serial number
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Medical history
- Medical notes
- 04 Oct 1917 {Age 41} AWMM Height, Unknown Period AWMM
5 foot 11 inches AWMM - Weight, Unknown Period AWMM
11 stone 12 pounds AWMM - Eye colour, Unknown Period AWMM
brown AWMM - Hair colour, Unknown Period AWMM
brown AWMM - Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWI AWMM
Critically wounded in the face at Flanders, 3 October 1917 AWMM - Died of wounds, Cause of Death AWMM
- Height, WWI AWMM
5' 11" AWMM - Weight, WWI AWMM
191 lb AWMM
- 04 Oct 1917 {Age 41} AWMM Height, Unknown Period AWMM
Last known rank
- Last rank
- South Africa Squadron Sergeant Major AWMM
New Zealand Mounted Rifles, 10th Contingent, South Island Regiment AWMM - WW1 Sergeant AWMM
Auckland Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion AWMM
- South Africa Squadron Sergeant Major AWMM
- Last rank
- —
Biographical information
- David Gallaher was the son of James, a shopkeeper, and Maria Gallaher (nee McCloskie), a teacher. The Gallahers migrated to New Zealand in May 1878 as part of the Katikati Special Settlement scheme in the Bay of Plenty. Brother of Joseph C. Gallagher, 5 Church Street, Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand
Gallaher moved to Auckland in the early 1890s and represented both the Ponsonby Club and Auckland Province in rugby.
Gallaher consistently gave his age three years less than it actually was. When he enlisted for the Anglo-Boer War in 1901, he stated that he was 24 rather than 27; when he embarked on the 1905 Originals tour, he gave his age as 29 instead of 32; and his gravestone incorrectly records his age at death as 41, when he was actually only a few days short of his 44th birthday.
Gallaher served with the 6th and 10th Contingents in South Africa, rising to the rank of Regimental Sergeant-Major.
After the Anglo-Boer War, Gallaher returned to playing rugby and was selected as captain for the 1905 Originals tour. There was some antagonism about Gallaher's appointment to the captaincy, and in transit he resigned against the wishes of manager George Dixon. However, a vote held by the team reinstated him as captain (although only just, as 11 out of the 29 members voted against him).
Gallaher married Ellen Ivy May Francis, sister of fellow All Black A.H. Francis, in Auckland, 10 October 1906. They had one daughter, Nora Tahuta, born in 1908. She remembered her father as "'a jolly man'". (DNZB)
He enlisted as a Corporal with the NZEF in 1914 and was promoted to Company Sergeant-Major but then reverted to Sergeant upon arrival in England.
During the attack on Gravenstafel Spur on the Flanders line on 3 October 1917, Gallaher was shot in the face and later died at No. 3 Australian Casualty Clearing Station, which was little more than a tunnel attached to one of the trenches. As he lay dying on a pallet in the station, a Catholic priest was administering to the soldier lying in the pallet next to Gallaher's. The soldier's name was Edward Fitzgerald. The priest asked if he knew who his neighbor was, and when Fitzgerald said he did not, the priest said, "That is Dave Gallaher, Captain of the 1905 All Blacks." (Katikati E-Memorial)
All Black in 1903-06
For more information on the 1905 All Blacks tour, see tour manager George Dixon's private papers held in the Auckland Museum Library's manuscripts collection. The papers include Dixon's autographed personal copy of the account of the tour. [Ref. MS 748]
Posted to 21st Reinforcements with rank of Corporal, 25 July 1916. Transferred to 22nd Reinforcements, 5 September 1916. Promoted to rank of sergeant, 16 October 1916. Promoted Company Sergeant-Major, 20 January 1917. Embarked on board HMNZT 'Aparima' and departed for England, 16 Febuary 1917.
Disembarked Devonport, England, 2 May 1917; marched in to Sling Camp, taken on strength 4th (Reserve) Battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment and reverted to rank of Temporary Sergeant, 2 May 1917. Qualified and confirmed in rank of Sergeant, 1 June 1917.
Proceeded overseas to France, 6 June 1917; marched in to New Zealand Infantry and General Base Depot, Etaples, France, 8 June 1917. Marched out and joined 2nd Bn, Auckland Infantry Regiment in the field, 26 June 1917.
Wounded in action and admitted to 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station (gun shot wounds, face), 4 October 1917; died of wounds, 4 October 1917.
Wife: E I M Gallaher, 1 John Street, Ponsonby, Auckland. Former Captain of the New Zealand Rugby Football Team (The All Blacks)
Next of Kin: Mrs E. I. M. Gallaher, Ponsonby, Auckland (Roll of Honour, Auckland Province 1914-1918 (Volume 1)) AWMM - My father Bruce Clough is the grandson of David Gallaher myself Christopher Murphy nee Clough born 9/10/1968 is his great grandson I am married to Angeline Tate now Murphy we have 2 children Daniel Peter Murphy 9/5/1993and Tiffany Claire Murphy 14/12/1994Public - Christopher - Direct descendant - 7 October 2015 - My father has a family history tree
- David Gallaher was the son of James, a shopkeeper, and Maria Gallaher (nee McCloskie), a teacher. The Gallahers migrated to New Zealand in May 1878 as part of the Katikati Special Settlement scheme in the Bay of Plenty. Brother of Joseph C. Gallagher, 5 Church Street, Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand
About death
- Death
- 4 Oct 1917 AWMM
Age 43 AWMM - Date of death
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- Age at death
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- Place of death
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- Cause of death
- Died of wounds AWMM
- Death notes
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- Cemetery
- Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium AWMM III.D.8. AWMM
- Cemetery name
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- Grave reference
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- Obituary
- Obituary: Auckland Weekly News, 18 October 1917, p. 20: "Advice was received in Auckland on Friday that Mr. 'Dave' Gallaher, the well-known and popular athlete, had died of wounds received in France. Mr. Gallaher was born in Belfast, about 46 years ago, and came to New Zealand, as a child, with the Vasey Stewart immigrants. For some time he lived with his parents at Tauranga, but later came to Auckland. He was employed by the local freezing works, where, prior to departing for the front, he was foreman of the department. From his boyhood he was recognised as a capable athlete, his prowess being exhibited chiefly in Rugby football. Mr. Gallaher was for many years sole selector for the Auckland Rugby Union, and was the captain of the All Blacks team which toured England in 1905-6. He saw service in the Boer War, and on the outbreak of the present war was eager to join the forces, but was for some time detained on account of family ties. When his brother was killed in action, he felt that it was his turn to go, consequently, he enlisted in the twenty-second reinforcements, and left New Zealand about 12 months ago. Mr. Gallaher is survived by his wife and child, who are at present in Sydney." AWMM
- Memorial name
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- Memorial reference
- —
Memorial
- Memorial name
- Dave Gallaher Memorial Park, Letterkenny, Ireland AWMM
- Dave Gallaher Shield (rugby), Auckland AWMM
- Dave Gallaher Trophy (rugby France / All Blacks), Auckland AWMM
- Dave Gallaher statue, Eden Park, Auckland AWMM
- All Saints Church, 284 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby Auckland 1011 AWMM
- Scottish Masonic Centre, 59 Grey St, Onehunga, Auckland 1061 AWMM
- Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 1 Hall of Memories AWMM
- Onehunga Returned and Services Association, 57 Princes Street, Onehunga, Auckland AWMM
Related objects
Sources
- External links
- Allblacks.com website All Blacks A to Z
http://stats.allblacks.com/asp/atoz.asp?group=A
Sources Used - Military personnel file
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R20520210
Further Reference - Passchendaele Casualty form.
http://archives.govt.nz/exhibitions/passchendaele/view?pid=archives:12735
Further Reference - Passchendaele Casualty form.
http://archives.govt.nz/exhibitions/passchendaele/view?pid=archives:12735
Further Reference - New Zealand History online. New Zealand in the South (Boer) War
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/south-african-boer-war/introduction
Further Reference - McLean, Denis. 'Gallaher, David 1873 - 1917'. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, updated 7 July 2005
http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/
Further Reference - Katikati E-Memorial
http://www.katikati.co.nz/kk_text/anzac_gallaher_d.html
Further Reference - All Blacks.com website rugby profile
http://stats.allblacks.com/Profile.asp?ABID=300
Further Reference - National Army Museum, Waiouru. Kiwis at war: voices from the past - biography
http://www.armymuseum.co.nz/kiwis-at-war/voices-from-the-past.html#DaveGallaher
Further Reference - The Dave Gallaher Commemorative Bronze authorised replica website.
http://www.gallaher.co.nz/
Further Reference - NZ Herald
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11929298
Further Reference - Wikidata Entity
http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q573987
Further Reference - Passchendaele Museum Profile
https://archives.passchendaele.be/en/soldier/347
Further Reference - Members of the NZEF 1914-1918 with a next-of-kin address in Ireland or who were born in Ireland.
https://www.sooty.nz/irish1nzef.html
Further Reference - Commonwealth War Graves Commmission
https://www.cwgc.org/
Further Reference - New Zealand War Graves Trust
https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/
Further Reference
- Allblacks.com website All Blacks A to Z
- References
- Macdonald, L. (1978). Passchendaele : the story of the third Battle of Ypres 1917. London : Penguin Books.
- Harper, G. (2000). Massacre at Passchendaele : the New Zealand story. Auckland, N.Z.: HarperCollins.
- Chester, R., McMillan, N. & Palenski, R. (2005). The encyclopedia of New Zealand rugby. Auckland, N.Z.: Hodder Moa. (4th ed.)
- New Zealand Army Expeditionary Force. (1918). Nominal Rolls of New Zealand Expeditionary Force Volume III. Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
55: 3 - New Zealand Army. (1990-2008). Wellington, N.Z.: Army General Staff.
Portraits from Passchendaele. (2004, April 13). Army News, No. 306 p. 10. - Sixth Contingent magazine, A. Ferguson: Wellington, New Zealand.
1 May 1906 edition - Dixon, George Henry, 1860-1940. Papers relating to the 1905 All Black Tour. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 748.
- Central Leader
Horrell, R. (2011, July 20). Tribute to rugby legend in Central Leader, p. 3. - Auckland Weekly News
Obituary: Auckland Weekly News, 18 October 1917, p. 20. - NZEF Peter Dennis, UNSW Canberra
- Beattie, P.J. & Pomeroy, M. (2013-2020). Onward : portraits of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (vols 1-5). Auckland, New Zealand: Fair Dinkum Publications
Vol. 1: Includes portrait - Stowers, R. (2009). Rough riders at war : history of New Zealand's involvement in the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902 and information on all members of the 10 New Zealand contingents. Hamilton, N.Z.: R. Stowers.
- NZWGT: Information supplied by the New Zealand War Graves Trust as part of the New Zealand War Graves project. This project was established in 2006 to record in text and photographs the 31,758 New Zealanders who have been identifed as serving with New Zealand or Allied forces, and who died in conflicts from the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) up to the present day and in peacekeeping operations.
- Roll of Honour, Auckland Province (digital copy), 1914 - 1919. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS-2016-2.
- Burton, O. (1922). The Auckland regiment : being an account of the doings on active service of the First, Second and Third Battalions of the Auckland Regiment. Wellington, N.Z.: Whitcombe & Tombs.
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