Dave Gallaher was captain of the 1905 ‘Originals’ rugby team, the first to be known as the All Blacks. His death while fighting overseas during the First World War ensured that he acquired a mystique that transcended sport.
David Gallaher
Personal details
Full Name:
David Gallaher
Lifetime:
30 Oct 1873 – 4 Oct 1917
Biography
Articles
Passchendaele: fighting for Belgium
Ever since 1917 Passchendaele has been a byword for the horror of the First World War. The assault on this tiny Belgian village cost the lives of thousands of New Zealand soldiers. But its impact reached far beyond the battlefield, leaving deep scars on many New Zealand communities and families. Read the full article
Page 3 - The Passchendaele offensive
The failed attempt to capture the town of Passchendaele saw more New Zealanders killed in one day than in any other military campaign since
Page 5 - The human impact
One in four New Zealand men aged 20–45 was either killed or wounded in the First World War, but the impact of the war reached far beyond these individuals and directly affected
Main image: Death of All Black Dave Gallaher
Thirteen former All Black rugby players were killed in the First World War. The most famous was Sergeant Dave Gallaher, who captained the All Black Originals of 1905-06.