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George, born in Burra on the 4th November 1914, was named after his father and grandfather. He was one of seven children born to Ethel and George, including four daughters, Thelma, Hazel May, Ethel Joan, Mavis and three sons: George, Robert and James.
Their home in the Burra region was originally a thriving copper mining town but also a farming area. George and his family moved from Willaston to live on Pualco Station via Hallett in ’36. This property had been in the family as the Gallaghers were one of the early pastoralists in the region and instrumental in many of the major developments which occurred in the Burra region.
George was just 13 when his 5-year-old sister, Mavis died in July ’28. Her grandfather, Henry had been an exceptionally generous donor to the new Burra hospital. Ironically Mavis had been one of the first patients to use the Isolation Block while suffering flu-type symptoms but died of what was later described as heart failure. Tragedy again struck the family when George was 17 with the death of his mother, Ethel Jane in the Hutchinson hospital, Gawler on the 27th Feb ’32 following an operation.
With the outbreak of WWII, a very strong recruiting campaign was conducted for the A.I.F. with enlistment stations at Burra and Clare as part of a huge drive aimed at encouraging fit young country men to join the services. An uncle, Albert William Gallagher 1919 had served in WWI but was believed killed in action in France when he was 21. The Gallagher family had continued to generously support returned soldiers from that war. It was therefore inevitable that aged 26, George enlisted on the 7th July ’41 at Wayville and was allocated the number SX13602 in the 2/48th Battalion. Four months earlier he had been part of a musical group that had farewelled Arthur Ridings, Station Manager of Braemar station, Burra. A surprise farewell dance had been organised and locals had come from many neighbouring stations in a great tribute to the popularity of Arthur. Everyone drank to the safe and speedy return of Mr. Ridings, who the Burra Record reported in their February edition; ‘In responding, Mr. Ridings said that he felt that it was his duty to enlist and join in the fight for freedom. He mentioned the many times that all had gathered together, each month for the much looked-forward to dances, and the way in which everyone came along during times of drought or good seasons, and always enjoyed themselves.’ Arthur joined the 2/10th Battalion as SX11273 but sadly was killed in action in Papua on the 22nd December ’42, aged 33.
The same woolshed at Braemar Station was again the venue for a farewell to George and his younger brother, Robert William Francis, with the latter enlisting to serve in the RAAF. The Burra Record of July ’41 again carried a detailed report of the evening. ‘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. 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. H. Cornelius, 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. Cornelius 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.’ Neighbours had come from adjoining stations, joining in the singing and dancing, concluding with joining hands to sing, 'Auld Lang Syne'.
Robert, 416947, rose to become a Warrant Officer but aged 28, was killed in a flying battle over Germany on the 13th August, ’44. He was interred in the Becklingen War Cemetery, Germany.
In October ’41 a further social was arranged in Burra for George and three other locals, Archie Kellock, SX13139 Bert Davey SX12344, Elliott Kellock SX12967 2/7th. As part of the celebrations, the Mayor ‘introduced the boys and then welcomed the wives of soldiers who had enlisted from the city and who had now come to reside in Burra to make room for the munition workers in the metropolis.’ The local Reverend Usher, who was planning to go to Woodside on trial, indulged in an extremely passionate speech, saying ‘He was proud to stand on the same platform with these boys who had stripped off their coats and taken off their blueys to fling themselves into the fight for King and Country against Germany's slaughtering maniac. He never believed in vindictiveness or hitting back but this was a case when it was necessary to save civilisation. These boys would uphold the traditions of the bulldog breed and he could say with pride that they were doing as good a job as the old A.IF. Names such as Dunkirk, Crete and Greece would live in history forever, long after Hitler was dead and buried, providing enough pieces; of him could be found 'after we got hold of him.' and he was proud of even being given the opportunity of saying how proud he was of them. He hoped they would soon come home again to receive the cheers and glory of their homeland.’
The local doctor also spoke passionately and patriotically. ‘Dr. Steele was pleased to praise these four lusty stalwarts. In the early days of the war, he had glowed with a sense of gratitude towards soldiers but now he had a feeling of gratefulness towards them, because there had been many months of real anxiety since the start of the war. Now, in spite of the knowledge, of the strength of the Empire, we. have gained a greater respect for the enemy who has had the advantage of many years of preparation. The nation had reason to doubt its power to withstand the Blitzkrieg, and now the people felt their hearts surging with gratitude towards these men who would go overseas to form component parts of the mighty machine necessary to win the war. He said those men were the salt of the earth and that the public would prove those sentiments and not forget them when peace was declared. He felt a particular interest in each of these men because he'd been present at their advent into this world. He expressed the hope that each would come back in good health and sound in wind and limb.’
As good fortune would allow, all four young men were to survive the war and return to Burra. They were each presented with a parcel from the local Matron Robinson, saying she knew all the boys, adding ‘when she first saw them as little chaps, never thought that she would ever have to say goodbye to them like this. Nevertheless, she wished them the best of luck.’
Each of the young men were spoken of with pride. ‘If ever four boys represented Burra these did.’ The Mayor said of George’s lineage; ‘George Gallagher, was a grandson of the famous Jimmy Gallagher, who had done so much for Burra. The late Jimmy was the man who would go into a stock yard where a wild horse was turning his nostrils inside out, mount and say 'Let 'er go.' These boys certainly belonged to old Burra families and by the way the late Mr. Jim Gallagher had given each boy of the old A.I.F. who returned, a £5 note, and gold medal, and one had but to look at the honour roll to find out how much that gesture had cost him. Each Gallagher after was a first-class bushman who could sleep under a wire fence and come out dressed in the morning.’ He added that ‘wherever these boys went they would meet other Burra boys’ and that ‘he wanted them to know that the Burra people were always thinking of them and waiting for their return home. Burra people would see to it that they got their rightful places in the community when they did come back.’
Watches were then strapped onto the wrist of each of the young men, who then responded.
Whilst the war was raging, George’s sisters were also regular and quite prolific contributors to the war effort, Thelma and Joan knitted socks for the Comforts funds.
By July ’42 the 2/48th was ordered to El Alamein along the coast to capture Tel el Eise and thus create a wedge between the advancing German forces and the sea. The battalion attacked just before dawn on the 10th July, claiming Tel el Eise and approximately 400 prisoners. The main offensive at El Alamein occurred in October ’42 and it was during this major offensive that George and others from his battalion were wounded.
An extensive list was published in the November ‘42 issue of the Chronicle. It listed nine from George’s battalion either killed in action or who died of their wounds. They included SX8468 Pte. Patrick H. Hoare, SX13570 Pte. Charles Holman, SX7771 Pte. Henry O. Lohmann, SX6848 Cpt. Alfred F. Meyer, SX3149 Col. Arthur. H. Peters, SX11768 Pte. John R. Smith, SX13535 Pte. Allan L. Thessinger, SX13162 Pte. Thomas B. Cosgrave and SX7917 Pte. Leslie A. King. George was one of 26 from his battalion who were listed as being wounded in action. The 2/48th had paid a high price for their success.
George returned home on leave in February ’44. The year was to be a tumultuous time for the family as in September unwanted news that ‘W.O. Bob Gallagher is reported missing as a result of air operations over Germany. He left Australia, in December 1942 and was serving in a Lancaster Squadron.’ The wait for confirmation of his fate took some time to arrive. It was not until November ’44, that George’s sister-in-law, Gladys received distressing news, reported in the Burra Record that ‘her husband Warrant Officer Bob Gallagher, who was previously reported missing as a result of air operations over Germany on 13th August is now believed to have lost his life on that date. W/O. Gallagher sailed for England in December 1942 and was attached to an RAF Lancaster Squadron. He was the second son of Mr and the late Mrs. G. W. Gallagher, of Pualco Station, Hallett. He married Miss Gladys Parker in March 1942; he also leaves a son who he had not seen.’
A year earlier than George, other young Burra men had also enlisted. They included 23-year-old Don Kerin SX7642, Irvine Ogilvie, SX7643, and Ron Bowen SX7651 who enlisted on the 3rd July ’40. Inevitably, they were to meet up with George with all being in the 2/48th Battalion. Sadly, Ron Bowen and Irvine Ogilvie were later to share the same fate and on the same day. Two days later, 23-year-old Clyde Sellars a station hand from the area, would also be killed in action in October ‘43. Today those three young men remain together in New Guinea. George remembered them all.
Burra Record Tuesday 21 November 1944, At the going down of the sun And in the morning We will remember them. A tribute of love, honour and respect to the memory of our dearest friends and pals: Corp Clyde Sellars, Pte. Irvine Ogilvie, Pte. Ron Bowen, killed in New Guinea, September 19 and 20. 1943. — Always remembered by George Gallagher, Don Kerin.

With peace declared, George returned to Burra and joined the RSL. He particularly enjoyed a weekend trip to visit the Berri sub branch where a wreath was placed at their Memorial. On the return trip the Burra group visited the Barmera Garden of Memory, a garden style cemetery commenced by internees during the war. In the middle, graves of Australian returned men were placed and to one sides those of deceased internees and on the other, graves of civilians. The highlight of the weekend for George was being one of only two men to catch a River fish at Waikerie.

In ’51, George’s young sister, Ethel Joan married Harold Stopp of Clare with George acting as best man for Harold.
Just prior to his 83rd birthday, George died on the 31st October, 1997. He and his wife, Laura Caroline are remembered in the Burra Cemetery.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion