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Robert (Bob) William Francis Gallagher was born on Feb 27, 1916, the second son to George Walter and Ethel Jane (nee Schuyler) Gallagher. Although no newspaper report can be found Bob was probably born in Nurse Woollacott’s nursing home Redruth (Burra North). Bobs father, George, owned Pualco Station, situated about 80 miles (about 128Kms) east of Burra. Pualco Station approx. approximately 64,000 acres (100 Square miles, or 259 square kilometres) (c1867), was acquired by Bobs Grandfather, James H Gallagher, in 1895, and later acquiring neighbouring Quandong Station in 1903, plus other runs. Pualco remained in the Gallagher family until 1965. James H Gallagher was a forward thinking and supportive man and is well documented in the town and district of Burra. George Gallagher also owned a Town house in Redruth, not far removed from the historic Redruth gaol. Bob, together with his two brothers and four sisters were raised mainly on Pualco Station with periodical visits to the Redruth home. Redruth being one of several sections combined in Burra North.
Bob and his two brothers were experienced and skilled stockmen, Pualco being a mixed sheep and cattle enterprise, their horsemanship was the result of extended stock work over a vast area of bush country. I can’t find where Bob did his schooling, however he certainly did have an education.
Station life in the early half of the 1900’s was a very social existence, even though the homesteads were separated by distance, that didn’t prevent the gatherings for pretty well any excuse, sporting events; Cricket, possibly a bit of Bush Football, Races, Dances, Farewells, in fact any excuse for a Get-Together; The ‘wool-room’ of Braemar Station ‘shearing shed’ because of its considerable floor space, lent itself admirably for dances etc.
Stations in those days employed a considerable workforce, stockmen, house staff, Governesses’ for the Station children, Gladys (Glad) Parker, a girl from Burra, found employment on one of the stations as a housemaid, also filling the roll of Governess for the Station children, one day the Station cook left so Glad at age of about 15/16 filled the roll of Station cook for some time until a new cook could be found, in Glads own words, “there was the kitchen staff to manage as well”, so, a challenge for a teenager.
Even though the Parker residence in Redruth was a mere four minute walk from the Gallagher town house, it was during inter-Station activity that Glad and Bob got to know each other.
Reported in the ‘Burra Record’, Tuesday 1/7/1941.
Social at Braemar Station Saturday evening, 28th June, folk from neighbouring stations assembled at Braemar station to do honour to Messrs Bob and George Gallagher who have recently enlisted in the R.A.A.F. and AJ.F. respectively. The guests are two out of three sons of Mr. George Gallagher, of Pualco station, and grandsons of the late well-known pastoralist, Mr. James Gallagher. Both young men have spent the major portion of their life outback and are well-known and highly esteemed throughout the district. The social held in the wool-room at Braemar Station, kindly loaned for the occasion, was suitably arranged by the ladies. The evening was spent in dancing to music supplied by Mr. J Pens, Goss, Mclnerney and Gallagher. One of the highlights of the evening was the wonderful supper provided by the ladies and comprised some very tasty samples of the culinary art. This was partaken of between 10 and 11 pm., and voted one of the best yet.
The good things enjoyed and prior to resuming dancing, the opportunity was taken to make a presentation to each of the guests. This was done by Mr. Ron Edginton, manager of Braemar, who made Bob and George each the recipient of a handsome writing compact, suitably inscribed as well as bearing their initials. Mr. Edginton spoke highly of both boys and his remarks were ably supported by Mr. Bert Cornelius, both speakers congratulating the recipients on their desire to fight for their country.
'For they are jolly good fellows' was sung, after which Bob and George acknowledged the gifts and thanked those who had arranged such a delightful evening.
A toast to 'The Ladies' was also drunk with musical honours, after which dancing was indulged in until after midnight, when all joined hands and sang, 'Auld Lang Syne'.
Those present were: — Mr. G. Gallagher and family, Pualco station; Messrs R. Edginton, G. Goss, S. and M. Briggs, J. Mclnerney, A. and J. Napier, B. Hartwell, L. and Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Blozer, of Braemar station; Mr. and Mrs. H. Cornelius and family, Loch Winnoch; Mr. and Mrs. J. Pens and family, Bendigo station: Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Edwards and family, KiaOra station; Mr. R. Hatherley, Mr. and Mrs. Clark and family, Alexandrina station.
The Messrs Gallagher expect to go into camp shortly.


Rober W F Gallagher joined the RAAF at the recruiting centre Adelaide on 8th Nov 1941, given the service number ‘416947’ and was sent to No 4 Training School, Victor Harbour SA, Promoted Leading Aircraftman on 28th Feb 1942. Glad and Bob were married during a brief spell of leave for Bob before being transferred to Ballarat Vic, Wireless and Gunnery School.
The marriage of Bob Gallagher and Gladys (Glad) Parker took place in the Methodist Manse Moorhead St Aberdeen (now Burra Nth) on March 31 1942. This took place during a very brief leave for Bob before being transferred to Ballarat, Vic. Bob’s best-man was Frank Griffiths, Maid-of-honour was Hazel Gallagher. The only other people present were, Glads parents, Ben and Selma Parker, and Dennis, Glads youngest, 7-year-old brother.
The newly married couple took up residence in Ballarat where Bobs training continued; Wireless and Gunnery school, Ballarat Vic; Bomb and Gunnery School, Sale, Vic; promoted Sergeant 15/10/42; Embarkation Depot, Bradfield Park, Vic, 31/10/42; Reception Centre, Bournemouth, U.K.
After Bob was transferred from RAAF to RAF, Glad moved back to Burra to be near family, While Bob continued his training being promoted to Warrant-Officer 15/4/44.
Warrant Officer Robert William Francis GALLAGHER
Service No: 416947
Born: Burra SA, 27 February 1916
Enlisted in the RAAF: 8 November 1941
Unit: No. 83 Squadron (RAF), RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire
Died: Air Operations (No. 83 Squadron Lancaster aircraft PB230), Germany, 13 August 1944, Aged 28 Years
Buried: Becklingen War Cemetery, Soltau, Niedersachsen, Germany
CWGC Additional Information: Son of George Walter and Ethel Gallagher, of Burra North, South Australia
Roll of Honour: Burra SA
Remembered: Panel 122, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide
Lancaster PB230 took off from RAF Coningsby at 2107 hours on the night of 12/13th August 1944, detailed to bomb Braunschweig, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base. The aircraft was shot down by a night fighter and crashed at 0010 hours at Holdenhagen, 12 kms south of Walsrode. Five of the crew members were killed and two became Prisoners of War.
Bob and Glad were married, 31st March 1942, Bob left Australia for the UK on 31st Oct 1942, Bob lost his life on 13th Aug 1944. On 12th Feb 1942 a son to Bob and Glad Gallagher was born at the Burra hospital, Robert Milford Gallagher (always known as Bobby). Bob Gallagher was never to see his son. Glad went on to remarry and have a family and wherever she and her family made a new home there was always a prominent portrait of Bob Gallagher hanging on the wall.
Bobby, a much loved first grandchild of Ben and Sel Parker, enjoyed a full and happy life with his family, being the eldest of the family and loved by all.
After leaving school Bobby joined an accounting firm in Clare SA and was on his way to becoming an accountant when, just a week or so short of his 22nd birthday he died in a car accident near Tarlee, on his way back to Clare from Adelaide. Robert Milford Gallagher is buried in Centennial Park cemetery, Adelaide.
Thoughts, written by Robert Milford (Bob Jnr) Gallagher, of a father he never knew, during a visit to the Station, (property) owned by the Gallagher family, where his father was raised.
~ There was a time when his laughter rang throughout these walls, making the very furniture seem alive, and gladdening the hearts of all who entered here, Here he carved a personality all his own, and gave this home a character, a warmth, a memory. I knew him not, but I feel that part of him remains within me, just as an actor leaves part of himself with his audience, but I feel that, in a way, I knew him, for am I not part of him ?, with the same ideals, the self same attributions. Then came the uproar, the turmoil, the fighting, and he left this home, never to return. Claimed suddenly, cruelly, by that violent world across the channel. But such, I think, was in his thoughts and such, I think, was probably his wish. But does he laugh no more to gladden their hearts now ?, For yet I hear his laughter ring throughout these walls, making the very furniture seem alive, for here the laughter emanates from his picture there, for here he carved a personality all his own, and gave this home a character, a warmth, a memory.
Comment; Rest easy Bobby, because your laughter and personality was a reflection of that of your father. Uncle Dennis.
Bobby’s death was an extremely sad time for the whole family and more so because it bought to a sudden stop the connection to Bob
Or so it was thought. But there was always a niggling thought, by some members of the family, that through a relationship that Bobby had, there was possibly a child. Then in the year 2025 from enquiries by a lady from Western Australia, regarding her great-uncle, Dennis Parker, that Bobby’s daughter became known by the family, and what a joy it was, Sue Wellington (married name) was welcomed into the family with open arms.
So, the Gallagher name beyond Bobby has not continued, but the family line has.
A Fitting epitaph: W.O. Robert William Francis Gallagher, died 13th Aug 1944 during air operations over Germany, he leaves; a loving Wife, a Son, a Granddaughter, two Great Grandsons and one Great Granddaughter.
Bob was never forgotten by his wife Glad, his son Bobby (even though he had never met his father) or by his extended family, the Parker family.
Glad passed away 23rd Jan 2007, in her 87th year, and is buried with her second husband Ross Martin, Centennial Park cemetery, Adelaide.
R.I.P. Robert William Francis Gallagher, your duty nobly done.

Written by Dennis Parker, 2026, youngest brother to Gladys.