Gallagher, J (James)
Gallagher, J (James)
Private James Gallagher was the son of James and Mary Gallagher, of Enniskillen, he served in the 3rd Reserve Battalion, and was stationed at Magilligan camp.
Private Joseph O’Hare and Private James Gallagher were at McLaughlin’s bar, Benone, during the evening of the 27th of January 1917. They had been drinking for several hours, leaving once to go to the post office briefly before returning for more drink.
At some stage James Gallagher got up and left again, nobody noticed. The manager of the bar, James McAuley found him unconscious outside later, during the early hours of Saturday the 28th, in a bad frost. He immediately brought him inside and tried to revive the soldier with the help of Constable Carr. The two men were unsuccessful, and James passed away.
The 3rd Reserve Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was based in Ebrington Barracks, Londonderry from September 1914 until April 1918 when it moved to England.
Their duties were to recruit and train soldiers for the front line. They alone recruited and trained more than twelve thousand men.
Throughout the war the 3rd had the same commander who was Lieutenant Colonel McClintock. He retired in 1919 when the battalion was disbanded.
On a few occasions, they had to host hundreds of shipwrecked sailors, including those from the Brisk (sunk October 1917) and the American transport ship SS Tuscania (sunk February 1918). They received praise and gifts for their hospitality on both occasions.
He never received any medals as he did not serve outside the UK.
Date of Death: 28/01/1917
Service: Private, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 3rd Battalion
Service Number: 25119
Burial Location: Londonderry (or Derry), City Cemetery, L. Mil. 10.
