Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Clarence was the fourth son born in Quorn on the 9th May 1909 to Mr and Mrs Frederick Gallagher. He was one of seven children. The family moved to Murray Bridge where Frederick ran a hairdressing and tobacconist establishment opposite the local police station. Unfortunately, this did not prevent the shop and those around it being burgled of money in June ’22 and tobacco in ‘31.
With the outbreak of WWII, Clarrie and fellow Quorn man, Allan Stewart, both enlisted on the 1st July 1940 and were given the numbers SX7417 and SX7415 respectively. Clarrie gave his occupation as a Boots barman. Following pre-embarkation leave Clarrie, headed overseas on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940. There the recruits completing a few months training in Cyrenaica. Initially assigned to the 2/24th Battalion, Clarrie was then transferred to the 2/48th Battalion in October ’41. He was to become one of the famed Rats of Tobruk.
1942 was to be a particularly challenging year for the 2/48th. Orders had been received to capture West Point of Tel el Eisa in a dawn attack. In late June ‘42 with Rommel crossing into Egypt, the 2/48th were in an offensive to capture Trig 33, which was achieved on the 10th July. In doing so, over 400 Italian prisoners were taken. The 2/48th battalion then advanced south, capturing the Tel el Eisa station and repelling numerous counter attacks. However, they were eventually forced to withdraw, having suffered over 100 casualties. The 2/48th battalion suffered 215 casualties between the 7th July and 23rd October. Of that number, 64 men were killed and six died of their wounds. 125 other men were wounded but survived.
In July the battalion was attempting to capture West Point in a dawn attack. In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John G. Glenn described the ferocious encounter.
‘When the troops were well forward of the start-line they came under terrific fire from shells and mortars from the front and left and suffered heavy casualties. With the slow deliberate movement of perfectly trained soldiers both companies continued the advance in perfect formation, over ground that trembled and erupted with vicious explosions. Through this, sometimes obscured by the smoke and dust, the men moved, and, as they advanced, the fire kept place with them, leaving behind the still shapes of fallen men among the camel bush and sand.’ Clarrie was wounded during the intense fighting with a gunshot wound to his left elbow. He was hospitalised for a fortnight and it was over a month before he was able to return to his battalion.
Back home, the Mail in August ’42 reported that ‘Mr. and Mrs. F. Gallagher, of Murray Bridge, have received word that their son. Private C. L. (Tod) Gallagher has been wounded in action in Egypt. Pte. Gallagher, who is the fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher, was born in Quorn in 1909. He enlisted in June 1940 and went abroad in November the same year. He served in Palestine, Tobruk, and Syria, later returning to the desert and taking part in the present engagement.’
This was followed by an official list in the Advertiser of those killed or wounded. Clarence was listed in the latter group of 34 published names along with SX6828 Pte. Harold R. L. Baker, Adelaide, SX8878 Pte. Gerald W. Bellinger Millicent. SX7497 L-Cpl. Ronald Chinner. Angaston. SX7725 Pte. Cecil Clark, Langhorne's Creek, SX8132 Pte. Cyril H. Fleet, Meningie, SX8138 Pte. Albert V. McKenzie. Min. SX11302 Pte. Walter Sharp, Magill, Pte. Kevin F. Stephens. Adelaide. SX7294 Cpl. Henry P. Stopp. Keith and SX9034 A-Cpl. Noel A. Tietzel. North Adelaide all from the 2/48th Battalion.
Back ‘fit to serve’ Clarrie was quickly promoted, becoming Corporal by January ’43. The following month, following their life-changing service in the Middle East, the men returned home to Australia in February ’43 via Melbourne. He and Jean Walker of Glenelg immediately decided to marry with an announcement placed in several of the Adelaide newspapers ‘GALLAGHER—WALKER.—Marriage of Jean, sixth daughter of Mr. and late Mrs. A. Walker, Glenelg, to C. L. (Tod), fourth son Mr. Mrs. F. Gallagher, Murray Bridge, was celebrated St. Columba's Church, Hawthorn, March 17.
Training in Queensland all too quickly loomed, in preparation for facing a totally different enemy in very different tropical conditions. Service in New Guinea followed and almost inevitably at the end of ’43 Clarrie was again wounded, being caught in a blast to his head, chest and abdomen. He spent significant time being treated.
On returning to Australia, Clarrie was diagnosed with post-concussion, ongoing headaches and sinusitis. As the war was drawing to a close, the effects of the on-going conflicts became evident in Clarrie with a preliminary diagnosis of neurosis made in July ’45 back in Queensland. He was also suffering the effects of malaria. Clarrie was finally discharged in August ’45, joining his wife living at Mile End. He was to have just over a year to share with his parents before his 77-year-old father, Frederick, unexpectedly died in Murray Bridge. The young couple placed an announcement in the Advertiser. ‘GALLAGHER.—On December 26 (suddenly), at Murray Bridge. Frederick, dearly beloved dad of Tod and Jean. Aged 77 years. Resting.’
Clarrie initially gained employment with Lusteroid Paint (SA), Ltd but in an uncharacteristic action kept two one-gallon tins of paint, which he then tried to on-sell. These actions brought him before the courts. Fortunately, his previous unblemished record contributed to his release on a good behaviour bond. He then turned his hand to being a gardener.
Clarrie aged 73, died on the 3rd July ‘82 . He was buried in Centennial Park Cemetery, in the Charles Newman Rose Bed area, CN4 Positions 26. His wife Jean Mary died days after turning 89, on the 26th June 2000. A poignant phrase on their plaque tells the story of their lives ‘Now Reunited & Loved So Very Much.’
Written and researched by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.