- Private Patrick Sheerin, Killed in Action
- Rugby Player, Soldier, All Black
- Sergeant Harry Barlow
- Brigadier Reginald (Reggie) Miles
- Brigadier John Burns
- All Black Dave Gallaher Remembered
Private Patrick Sheerin, Killed in Action
Patrick ‘Pat’ Sheerin was born in Palmerston North in 1891 and at the outbreak of World War One, was working as a Printer for the Wellington based company Ferguson and Mitchell.
Private Patrick Sheerin, Otago Infantry Battalion
Pat left for Egypt in October 1914 and in a letter to his mother, wrote.
“We had a good run over and no sign of being seasick. We did not get a rough sea all the way….It took us about seven weeks to get here so you can see we were pretty sick of the boat once we landed.”
Once in Egypt, Pat was camped just outside Cairo at Heliopolis and in the same letter to his mother, he wrote.
“This place is terribly dirty but they have some lovely buildings here. The Catholic Church is the prettiest place you could see…..we have to march over to church every Sunday at 8 o’clock.”
However in a letter to his mate Tom, he wrote of different sights.
“I can’t describe this place and if I could you wouldn’t believe me. The n**ger girls are married with seven or eight of a family when their 14 years old. They use no closets [toilet] the main street does them, and they would be glad to murder the lot of us.”
Pat first encountered the Turks in February 1915 at Suez Canal although he never fired a shot. In his letter he wrote of his disappointment at not coming face to face with the Turks but he was glad to be out of the trenches. Back in Cairo he carried on with training and waiting to be told when they would be on the move again. In his letter to his mother, dated 1 April 1915, he wrote.
“We are hearing that we have to move away from here every day but have not gone yet. I suppose the end will be that we will go home again……they published in the papers that the British base was going to be at Naples next month, so it is likely that we will go there. That is in Italy.”
Unfortunately, it was not Italy and on 25 April 1915, Pat and the other men of the 4th Otago Company found themselevs hitting the beach at ANZAC Cove at around 5.00pm and then having to make their way to Plugges Plateau. Here they had to ‘dig in’.
By 1 May, the men were caught up in a stalemate. They were under constant shell and machine gun fire and Turkish snipers were earning their keep.
On 17th May, at some point during the day, the trench occupied by Pat and others came under heavy shell fire. The trench collapsed and it is believed that Pat was killed by the falling dirt and debris of the trench. His body was never recovered. Patrick Sheerin is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, Panel 75.
Further tragedy was to befall the Sheerin family when Pat’s older brother James was killed during Wellington’s attack on Chunuk Bair on 8 August.
Rugby player, soldier, All black
Sgt Charles Brown was one of only a few rugby players and soldiers who played for the All Blacks both before and after World War I, and his prized All Black cap is part of the National Army Museum’s collection.
Like many rugby greats of his era, Brown interchanged his rugby jersey with a soldier’s uniform at a time when there was no rugby at home, and Army rugby was world rugby.
As a halfback he enjoyed a long first-class rugby career, firstly for his province, Taranaki, where by the age of 21 he had played 52 games, and was captain of the 1914 Taranaki side that took the Ranfurly shield from Auckland, the team who had held the prestigious trophy since its inception in 1910.
Brown played two international matches against Australia for the All Blacks in 1913, in the same season – despite being pakeha – he also made a guest appearance for the New Zealand Maori in a benefit match also against Australia.
Brown served most of World War I as a corporal with the Field Engineers and was later promoted to the rank of sergeant. Brown donned the New Zealand Army Rugby colours playing for the NZ Division team that won the Somme Cup in France 1917. After being part of the services team in Britain that won the prized King’s Cup in 1919, he captained this side on a tour of South Africa, the first time a national side had ever toured there.
After the war, Brown regained his place in the All Blacks in 1920, playing matches in New Zealand as well as touring Australia. Though primarily a halfback, Brown was multi talented and played at fullback and even hooker on tour.
When he retired in 1922, Brown had played 95 first class matches; a very high number for a player of his era. After finishing as a player Brown continued to be heavily involved in the game as an administrator and coach at both club and provincial level. He was also a selector for Taranaki, on the North Island selection panel, and later, in 1944, a New Zealand selector.
This story is one of many coming soon in the new exhibition titled, “Khaki & Black: New Zealand’s Rugby Supremacy in Times of War” which opens on 26th August 2011.
Sergeant Harry Barlow, DCM
Kiwi soldier Harry Barlow landed at Gallipoli on the day that gave us the origin of ANZAC Day, 25 April 1915. Almost two months later while fighting at Quinn’s Post, one of the most advanced and dangerous ANZAC posts in Gallipoli, Barlow was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions.
Quinns Post was the site of repeated Turkish bombardment and some of the bloodiest hand to hand combat encounters between the ANZACs and the Turks – whose posts were just a stone’s throw away.
Barlow’s citation reads:
“For great gallantry and ability on the night of the 21st-22nd June 1915, at Quinn’s Post (Dardanelles). On his own initiative he crawled from the trench to reconnoitre an enemy bombproof shelter some distance away. He was successful in dropping two bombs into it, and returned with two Turkish bombs which he found outside. Throughout the operations, he has distinguished himself as a most courageous and skilful bomb thrower.”
Soon after, during the advance on Chunuk Bair on August 7, Barlow received minor wounds and two weeks later was admitted to the 16th Casualty Clearing Station with influenza. He was transferred by ship back to England and to hospital to recover. After his release he returned to New Zealand.
To remember New Zealand’s stories and honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice the National Army Museum will be holding an ANZAC Day Civic Service.
Brigadier Reginald Miles, CBE, DSO & Bar, MC
Reginald Miles served with distinction in both world wars. He began his service in Gallipoli as a forward observation officer and was wounded, but returned to duty just before evacuation in December 1915.
Following his marriage in Egypt, he served on the Somme in 1916 in command of 15 Howitzer Battery and won a Military Cross (MC) for outstanding command under heavy shelling. In 1917, he took over command of 6 Howitzer Battery and in April 1918, during an attack at Ploegsteert Wood, Captain Miles fought alongside his men when the Germans almost overwhelmed them. The enemy were within 500 yards and his ammunition was exhausted. Miles rallied his men, including some infantry stargglers, and later made a reconnaissance into the wood; sending back valuable information. As he was trying to free one of his guns from the thick mud he was finally wounded by fifle-fire at close range. Recommended for a Victoria Cross, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
From 1940, Brigadier Miles became Copmmander Royal Artillery and in charge of the New Zealand Divisional Artillery. The intelligent and forceful Miles built up the strength and morale of the artillery, and his leadership throughout the Greek campaign was solid. He missed the battle of Crete due to ill health and exhaustion, but was soon back in command for the Crusader Offensive. During this operation he was wounded and captured when 6 Field Regiment was overrun near Belhamed in Decemebr 1941. In the heat of the action he had joined the gunners, carrying a rifle looking for all the world as though he were going duck shooting.
Taken prisoner, he spent sixteen months incarcerated in Campo PG 12 near Florence, Italy, until he and five other officers (all brigadiers or above) got out through a 40 foot tunnel which had taken six months to dig. Only Brigadier Miles and Brigadier Hargest reached neutral Switzerland, with both receiving a Bar to their DSOs for their expolits.
Aiming to rejoin the war effort, Miles crossed Vichy France in disguise with the help of the French Resistance and reached neutral Spain. On waiting to be transported to Gibraltar, he died in Spain on 20 October 1943 and was buried in the Figueras Municipal Cemetery. He was posthumously appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1944.
“Reggie Miles was an all-round gunner, interested and accomplished in every sphere of gunnery. At all levels and in all units he was admired and respected and when he disappeared it was as if the Divisional Artillery had lost its father”.
W E Murphy
Brigadier John Burns, MBE, DSO
John ‘Blackie’ Burns was born in Napier in 1917 and educated at St Patrick’s College in Wellington (including four years with the school’s cadets). In 1936, he attended the Royal Military College in Duntroon, Australia, graduating in 1938. It was here that he earned the nickname ‘Blackie’.
In 1942, during the Battle of El Alamein (with 30 Battery, 6 Field Regiment), he was captured and later imprisoned in Northern Italy. Three times he escaped from prisoner of war camps, the third time successfully. He then spent nine months ‘on the run’ and was later given sanctuary in the Santa Maria dell’ Anima Monastery in Rome before rejoining the New Zealand Division at Sora in June 1944. After recuperating in England, he served with the 5th and 6th Field Regiments and 7 Anti-Tank Regiment. In 1945 he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Later in 1953 Blackie saw 12 months action in Korea which earnt him the DSO for his efficient and courageous work in directing artillery fire when the enemy breached the Allied positions during the heavy fighting preceding the signing of the Armistice.
When Blackie retired from the Regular Force in 1973, he was New Zealand’s longest serving soldier of the time and he later continued his service as the Colonel Commandant of the RNZA from 1975 until 1981.
Brigadier Blackie Burns also served as a Trustee on the Board of the National Army Museum and was a driving force behind the establishment of the Kippenberger Military Archive and Research Library whereby his dream was realised in March 1995 when the stunning new facility was opened. This passion as a ‘bibliophile’ remained strong until his death in January 2003.
John Blackie Burns was a man of many aspects – he was a decorated soldier, an accommpolished painter, an internationally published author and a dedicated family man. As Major General ‘Scotty’ Gordon noted in his eulogy, “He was a noble and remarkable man.”
Sergeant Dave Gallaher (32513)
18,000 New Zealanders lost their lives fighting on the Western Front during World War One. One of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, was Sergeant Dave Gallaher captain of the 1905 “Original All Blacks.”
“Dave was a man of sterling worth … girded by great self-determination and self control. He was a valuable friend and could be, I think, a remorseless foe. To us All Blacks his words would often be ‘Give nothing away: take no chances’ …”
Ernest Booth, member of the 1905 “Originals”
Dave Gallaher first saw action during the Boer War in South Africa. He enlisted again after the death of his younger brother, on 25 July 1916, at 40 years of age and was sent overseas.
After training in England he was sent to France and joined 2nd Battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment ‘in the field’. Despite his age he was extremely fit and often in the thick of action.
The morning of 4th October 1917 was no exception as the New Zealanders began their assault on Gravenstafel Spur. A thousand prisoners were taken in the attack for a gain of 1000 metres, in World War One terms, a success. But also at a cost the New Zealand Division 320 lives, including that of the former All Black captain, Dave Gallaher.
Severely wounded during the assault he was admitted to the No. 3 Australian Casualty Clearing Station, but died later that day.
Dave Gallaher is buried at Nine Elms British Cemetery, Poperinghe, Belgium. officially listed as 41 at his death, he was actually almost 44 years old. He had first lowered his age when volunteering to fight in the South African War in 1901. Since 1924, All Black teams playing in Britain and France have often made a pilgrimage to the site of his grave.
Dave Gallaher’s passion rugby. He was selected for the All Blacks in the 1903 team to Australia. In 1904, he played against the British Team at Athletic Park and was appointed captain of the 1905 “Original” All Blacks for their tour of Britain & France. He was a rugged flanker and the team of ‘Colonials’ earned respect for their dazzling style and magnificent record (played 25 games, won 24, lost 1; points for: 747, against: 53). On his return he retired from the game and became the sole Auckland selector from 1906 – 1916.
His name lives on in the Gallaher Shield, awarded to the winner of Auckland’s premier club competition since 1922 and a more recent trophy, the Dave Gallaher Cup, has been awarded to the winner of the first rugby test between New Zealand and France in each calender year since 2000.
Dave Gallaher was one of 13 former All Blacks to die during the Great War. 133 international rugby players, including the 13 All Blacks, died during the conflict.
