Sgt. David Gallaher

Dave Gallaher (born David Gallagher, 30 October 1873 – 4 October 1917) was a New Zealand rugby union footballer best remembered as the captain of the "Original All Blacks", the 1905–06 New Zealand national team, the first representative New Zealand side to tour the British Isles. He was mortally wounded on October 4, 1917 during the successful, but costly, attack on Gravenstafel Spur. He died a few hours later and was buried at Nine Elms Cemetery, Poperinge.

Thirteen former All Black rugby players were killed in the First World War – 1 in 10 of those who had worn the black jersey during the previous decade. Four of them were killed within a fortnight in June 1917 when the New Zealand Division took part in the assault on the Messines ridge.

His youngest brother Douglas, served with the First Australian Imperial Force (1 AIF, 11th Battalion) and was twice wounded at Gallipoli before being killed on June 3, 1916 at Laventie near Fromelles in France.

His brother Henry, who was a miner, served with the Australian 51st Battalion and was killed on April 24, 1917. Henry's twin brother, Charles, also served in the war and survived being badly wounded at Gallipoli.

Another brother William, served with the Samoan Garrison from May 1918 to April 1920.

His niece Minnie Gallaher, was one of 14 nursing sisters killed on June 27, 1918, when a German submarine torpedoed the hospital ship HMHS Llandovery Castle.

He had previously served as a corporal with the sixth contingent in the South African War.

Biographies:

• Tauranga Memories: David Gallaher (1873-1917) written by Katikati Historian Ellen McCormack in 2008
• Wikipedia contributors, 'Dave Gallaher', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

See also: Donegal Genealogy Resources, Dave Gallaher 1873-191, compiled by Lindel

GALLAHER, DAVID

Rank: Serjeant
Service No: 32513
Date of Death: 04/10/1917
Age: 41
Regiment/Service: Auckland Regiment, N.Z.E.F. 2nd Bn.
Grave Reference: III. D. 8.
Cemetery: NINE ELMS BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information: Husband of E. I. M. Gallaher, of 1, John Street, Ponsonby, Auckland. Former Captain of the New Zealand Rugby Football Team (The All Blacks).
CWGC

LOTFWW

New Zealand in the Great War 1914-1918

findmypast Transcription

• First name(s) David
• Last name Gallaher
• Alias Dave David Gallagher
• Regimental number 3229 32513
• Regiment 10th New Zealand Mounted Rifles, 2nd Regiment, Auckland Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion
• Birth year 1874
• Age at death 43
• Death year 1917
• Death date 04 Oct 1917
• Death place No 3 Australian Casualty Clearing Station, Flanders, Belgium
• Served in South African War, 1899-1902, World War I, 1914-1918
• Country New Zealand
• Cemetery name Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
• Grave reference III.D.8.
• Url http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C...
• Category Armed forces & conflict
• Subcategory First World War