Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From the Australian Remembrance Army

𝗩𝗶𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗹 𝗩𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿
Service No: 3226
Rank: Trooper
Unit: 5th Light Horse Regiment

Today we had the honour of restoring the lettering of the civilian granite headstone of WW1 veteran, Trooper Virgil Vincent Patrick Gallagher. Virgil died in 1943 and was buried at Lutwyche Cemetery. Over the years his grave had fallen into disrepair but today, 78 years later, we restored it to its former glory. Cate, Paul, Mark and I were joined today by a new volunteer, Jan who enjoyed her morning helping with the restoration. Another magnificent result.

Virgil Vincent Patrick Gallagher was born on 14 March 1890 in Toowoomba to parents Annie Elizabeth McKewin and Dominick Archibald Gallagher. He was the eldest of six children and had four brothers and one sister. Sadly, three of his four brothers died before their first birthday.

Virgil grew up in the Toowoomba region with his family before moving to Brisbane with his mother and two siblings (Cyril and Matilda) following the death of his father. In 1913 they were living at 38 Heal Street, New Farm where Virgil worked as a clerk but by 1916 Virgil had moved to Laidley and his mother returned to Pittsworth in the Toowoomba region.

On the 18th July 1916, Virgil enlisted with the AIF in Toowoomba. He embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on the 10th May on board HMAT A42 “Boorara”, disembarking at Suez, Egypt on 20th June. He was made Acting Corporal and on 26th July was reverted to Trooper when he transferred to AAS Details, Moascar before going to the School of Instruction three days later. The following month, Virgil rejoined his unit and was again promoted to be Acting Corporal. The following months Virgil was promoted to Corporal, then Sergeant. Virgil served in the training camp at Moascar which was the site of the training area for the 1st and 2nd Australian and New Zealand A Divisions. It provided the final preparation for entrainment to Alexandria and the Western Front.
On the 7th December 1918, Virgil was reverted to Trooper on ceasing as an instructor at the Headquarters of the Australian Training Camp. He was admitted to hospital in February of 1919 with tonsilitis before rejoining the 5th Light Horse Regiment later that month.

Virgil embarked on HT “Madras” at Kantara, Egypt for Australia on 28th June 1919.

Three years later, on the 7th June 1922, Virgil married Margaret Veronica Sweeney in Brisbane. The couple lived on the northside of Brisbane at Farm Road, Newmarket (1928) and Gympie Road, Kedron (1937) and had five children – three sons and two daughters. It seems that a son and daughter were twins who died in infancy and were buried at Toowong Cemetery in 1922. Virgil and Margaret’s son, Virgil (Jnr) enlisted and served in WW2 as Corporal with the 2/11 Australian Infantry Battalion.

Virgil passed away on the 29th September 1943 at Nundah Private Hospital at the age of 53 years and was buried at Lutwyche Cemetery the same day. His daughter, Margaret Mary Gallagher died the following year and was buried with her father.

We will remember them… Lest We Forget