Pte
Frederick Arthur Gallagher
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1888 |
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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: 3207 |
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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: 05/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Marne, Passchendaele, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 29 |
Memorial
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Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel: Bay 25 stone O |
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 Frederick Arthur Gallagher, a 29 year old former farmer enlisted together with his younger brother Francis Joseph 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 Red Cross Wounded and Missing file Pte. Gallagher was struck in the head by a shell while holding the line on 5 October. He was buried where he fell (Marne, D.17.c.3.6.) in an unmarked grave. After the war his remains were never found and today he is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres. His brother Francis Joseph died of wounds just the day before during the attack in the Battle of Broodseinde and is buried at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery.
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 Red Cross Wounded and Missing file Pte. Gallagher was struck in the head by a shell while holding the line on 5 October. He was buried where he fell (Marne, D.17.c.3.6.) in an unmarked grave. After the war his remains were never found and today he is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres. His brother Francis Joseph died of wounds just the day before during the attack in the Battle of Broodseinde and is buried at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery.
Connection to other soldiers 1
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Francis Joseph 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=106417 Sources used |
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AWM https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search/people?people_preferred_name=Gallagher+Frederick+Arthur&people_service_number=3207&people_unit= Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/923651/FREDERICK%20ARTHUR%20GALLAGHER/ Sources used |
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Service Record https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4001896 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 |