Sergeant

David Gallaher

Conflict: 
WW1
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).

References:
  • CWGC
  • Archives New Zealand
Relatives Who Are Also Casualties:
NZ WAR GRAVES

Biographical Notes:

All Black number 97. Played 36 games, 27 as Captain, including 6 test matches. Captain of the "originals" tour of the UK in 1905.

Source: NZ Rugby Museum

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.

The most famous of these casualties was Sergeant Dave Gallaher, who had captained the All Black Originals on their celebrated 1905–06 tour of Britain, France and North America. He was mortally wounded on 4 October 1917 during the successful, but costly, attack on Gravenstafel Spur. He died a few hours later and was buried at Nine Elms Cemetery, Poperinge. Officially aged 41, Gallaher was actually almost 44 years old. He had first lowered his age when volunteering to fight in the South African War in 1901.

In recent years All Black teams touring France have paid homage to Gallaher at his Belgian grave. His name lives on in the Gallaher Shield, awarded to the winner of Auckland’s premier club competition since 1922. A more recent trophy, the Dave Gallaher Cup, has been awarded to the winner of the first rugby test between New Zealand and France in each calendar year since 2000.

Source: www.nzhistory.net.nz

Public Contributions:

There are no public contributions written for this casualty

Personal Tributes:

Casualty

Service Number: 
32513
Name:
David Gallaher
Rank: 
Sergeant
Date of Birth:
30 October 1873
Place of Birth: 
Ramelton, County Donegal, Ireland
Next of Kin: 
Joseph C. Gallagher (brother), 5 Church Street, Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand|Mrs Ellen Ivy May Gallaher (wife), 10 King Street, Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand
Date of Enlistment:
Not known
Occupation on Enlistment:
Freezing Labourer|Storeman
Unit:
NZEF, Auckland Regiment, 2 Battalion

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:
Died of wounds
Date of Death:
04 October 1917
Day of Death:
Thursday
Age at Death: 
41
Conflict: 
WW1

Embarkation Details

Bodies of Embarkation:

6th Contingent
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Places of Embarkation:

Auckland, New Zealand
Wellington, New Zealand
Transport:

N/A
HMNZT 76
Vessels:

Unknown
Aparima
Destinations:

South Africa
Plymouth, England

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery Reference: 
III. D. 8.
Cemetery Location: 
Belgium
David Gallaher
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