Pte
Francis Joseph Gallagher
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1893 |
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Place of birth: Bega, New South Wales, Australia |
General information
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Profession: Farmer |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 3208 |
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Enlistment date: 30/10/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Lismore, New South Wales, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Infantry, 41st Bn. ( The Byron Scottish ) (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 04/10/1917 |
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Place of death: A.D.S. Prison, Ypres, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Died of wounds (D.O.W.) |
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Age: 24 |
Cemetery
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Ypres Reservoir Cemetery Plot: I Row: G Grave: 13 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Private Francis Joseph Gallagher, a 23 year old former farmer enlisted together with his older brother Frederick Arthur on the 30th October 1916. They were both part of the 41st (Queensland) Battalion AIF, part of the 11th Australian Brigade of the 3rd Australian Division.
On 4 October 1917 the 41st Bn. A.I.F. took part in the Battle of Broodseinde, a sub battle in the Battle of Passchendaele. The 3rd Australian Division was to attack along the Ypres-Zonnebeke Railway with the 10th Brigade to left and 11th Brigade to the right. The 41st Bn. A.I.F. was responsible for taking the forth an final objective. The going to the jump-off line was tough and costed several casualties. From Bremen Redoubt they moved across the Zonnebeke marsh and could finally reach their assembly positions (Hill 40 – Flox House/Dochy Farm). At 6 AM, zero hour, the attack and artillery barrage began. The first objective was taken by the 43th Bn. A.I.F., the second by the 42th Bn. A.I.F. The third objective was taken by the 44th Bn. A.I.F. By then the 41th Bn. suffered severe casualties. The 41th Bn. took the fourth and final objective (Daisy Wood – Dash Crossing) and started consolidating. Several counter attacks were repulsed by by Lewis Gun and rifle fire. Two large scale counter attacks were dispersed by artillery fire. 36 men were killed of which 4 officers, 206 were wounded of which 5 officers and 24 men were missing. The 41th Bn. held the line until the morning of the 6th October, when they were relieved.
According to his Service Record Private Francis Joseph Gallagher was hit by a shell during the advance on 4 October 1917 causing with compound fractures of both legs. An eyewitness stated in his Red Cross Wounded and Missing file that he last seen him badly wounded on a stretcher. Pte. Gallagher was evacuated to the 2nd Anzac Medical Dressing Station (A.D.S. Prison at Ypres), where he succumb to his wounds and was buried at what now is known as Ypres Reservoir Cemetery. His brother Frederick Arthur was killed in action the next day holding the line, his body was never found and he is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.
On 4 October 1917 the 41st Bn. A.I.F. took part in the Battle of Broodseinde, a sub battle in the Battle of Passchendaele. The 3rd Australian Division was to attack along the Ypres-Zonnebeke Railway with the 10th Brigade to left and 11th Brigade to the right. The 41st Bn. A.I.F. was responsible for taking the forth an final objective. The going to the jump-off line was tough and costed several casualties. From Bremen Redoubt they moved across the Zonnebeke marsh and could finally reach their assembly positions (Hill 40 – Flox House/Dochy Farm). At 6 AM, zero hour, the attack and artillery barrage began. The first objective was taken by the 43th Bn. A.I.F., the second by the 42th Bn. A.I.F. The third objective was taken by the 44th Bn. A.I.F. By then the 41th Bn. suffered severe casualties. The 41th Bn. took the fourth and final objective (Daisy Wood – Dash Crossing) and started consolidating. Several counter attacks were repulsed by by Lewis Gun and rifle fire. Two large scale counter attacks were dispersed by artillery fire. 36 men were killed of which 4 officers, 206 were wounded of which 5 officers and 24 men were missing. The 41th Bn. held the line until the morning of the 6th October, when they were relieved.
According to his Service Record Private Francis Joseph Gallagher was hit by a shell during the advance on 4 October 1917 causing with compound fractures of both legs. An eyewitness stated in his Red Cross Wounded and Missing file that he last seen him badly wounded on a stretcher. Pte. Gallagher was evacuated to the 2nd Anzac Medical Dressing Station (A.D.S. Prison at Ypres), where he succumb to his wounds and was buried at what now is known as Ypres Reservoir Cemetery. His brother Frederick Arthur was killed in action the next day holding the line, his body was never found and he is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.
Connection to other soldiers 1
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Frederick Arthur Gallagher
Brother |
Sources 7
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"Passchendaele, The Day-by-Day Account",McCarthy C., Arms&ArmourPress, London, 1995, page 98-99 Sources used |
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AIF Project https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=106420 Sources used |
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AWM https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search/people?people_preferred_name=Gallagher+Francis+Joseph&people_service_number=3208&people_unit= Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/98911/FRANCIS%20JOSEPH%20GALLAGHER/ Sources used |
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Service Record https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4036503 Sources used |
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The Long long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/3rd-australian-division/ Sources used |
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War Diary https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1343111 Sources used |