Lieutenant Kevin Gallagher

Kevin Gallagher was the eldest son of Frank and Margaret Gallagher, and was born on 15 October 1922 in Batley, West Yorkshire.

He received secondary education at St. Mary's school Batley, and higher education at St. Michael's College Leeds.

On 3 September 1941, he enlisted at Leeds where due to his age (18yrs), he was posted as a Rifleman with K. (Young Soldier) Coy, 70 Bn, London Irish Rifles, a territorial battalion of the Royal Ulster Rifles.

On 20 May 1942, having been promoted to Cpl, he was assessed and recommended for a commission. On 12 June 1942 he was attached to 161 Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU) at Sandhurst and on 5 August 1942, posted to A Coy, 161 (RMC) OCTU, at Mons Barracks, Aldershot.

Having successfully completed officer training, on 4 November 1942 he was discharged from the ranks, and the following day commissioned into 6 Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

However he never joined KOYLI, due to having volunteered for Airborne Forces. He was posted to Army Air Corps on 11 November 1942.

He attended parachute course 39 at RAF Ringway from 27 November to 6 December 1942. This was a 'Long Course' which consisted of 7 jumps. He was then posted to 5 (Scottish) Bn, Parachute Regt.

On 5 February 1943 he embarked for active service overseas, to take part in Operation Torch in Tunisia. On arrival he was posted to 1 Bn Parachute Regiment.

Kevin Gallagher was killed in action in fighting around Djebel Abiod, Tunisia, on 28 March 1943, age 20. He has no known grave and is commemorated on face 33 of the Medjez-El-Bab memorial.