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Trooper Matthew Gallagher

Description

TitleTrooper Matthew GallagherSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionMatthew was the first Selwyn District casualty of the war. He was killed in an accident on 31st August 1914, aged 27. Matthew was the son of William and Catherine Gallagher of Prebbleton. He had recently joined the Expeditionary Force and was in B Squadron of the Mounted Rifles, having been transferred from the Infantry. Before enlisting he had worked for T. H. Davis, as a painter and sign-writer in Sydenham, for ten years.

Mathew was returning with other soldiers to camp, at the Addington Racetrack, on the 9.35 p.m. tramcar from Cathedral Square. It was reported that he was smoking on the rear platform when he fell, suffering a skull fracture from which he died. Matthew was given a military funeral at All Saints Church, Prebbleton on 2nd September attended by his comrades from B Squadron of the Mounted Rifles, under Major Wain. The Infantry Regimental band also attended, being transported in waggons to the funeral. Officers representing both the Mounted Rifles and the Infantry were present. Mathew is remembered on the Prebbleton War Memorial. In August 2014 his name was added to the list of New Zealand First World War soldiers on the New Zealand and Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s official rolls of honour.First NameMatthewLast NameGallagherFamilySingleWilliam and Catherine Gallagher of Prebbleton.Date of Birth1887Date of Death31 August 1917Place of DeathChristchurch, CanterburyCause of DeathAccidental DeathAge at Death27Other Biographical InformationBuried in New Zealand

Connections

CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Memorial or CemeteryPrebbleton War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingPainterRegiment or ServiceMounted Rifles, B SquadronService NumberTraining UnitRank Last HeldTrooper

Attribution

Taken FromPapers Past, National Library

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Trooper Matthew Gallagher