John Gallimore
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Son of William and Hannah Gallimore, of Oak Cottage, Marton, Chelford, Cheshire. Baptised on 23rd October 1887 On 1891 Census he is living with his Uncle and Aunt, John and Ellen Boon and his cousins John and Sarah Ann at Middle Duckmanton, Sutton cum Duckmanton, Derbyshire. His uncle is listed as a general labourer On 1901 Census he is living with his Uncle and Aunt, John and Ellen Boon and his cousin John at Warsop Hill Lodge, Cuckney, Nottinghamshire. His uncle is listed as a gamekeeper and John as a general labourer. On 1911 Census he is living with his widowed uncle John Boon and his cousin John and family at Main Street, Norton, near Cuckney, Nottinghamshire. He is listed as a general labourer (hedge cutter) on a private estate Later resided at Whitwell, Derbyshire. On 1881 Census his parents were living at the school house, Hulme Walfield with three children Joseph, Mary and William. His father is shown as a farm labourer. On 1891 Census his father is now widowed and still living at the school house, Hulme Walfield with two children William and Frank. He is listed as an agricultural labourer. It is likely that John moved in with his aunt and uncle as his father could not manage with all his children following the death of his wife.
Enlisted 1908 (1186 joined on 9th January 1909) 10th / 11th April 1915: Regiment sailed from Avonmouth for service in Egypt. Fifteen officers travelled aboard the SS Minneapolis, with the remaining officers and men travelling on the SS Nessian. Five hundred and thirty one horses and mules together with the transport personnel travelled on the SS Wayfarer. The SS Minneapolis and SS Wayfarer left on the 10th and the SS Nessian left on the 11th. The SS Wayfarer was torpedoed on the journey and docked at Queenstown for repairs. Arrived at Egypt 27th April 1915. On arrival was dismounted. 18th August 1915: landed at Suvla Bay (Gallipoli) aboard HMS Partridge performing an infantry role and served as such for three months, receiving the "King's Colour" in recognition of its gallantry. December 1915: evacuated from Gallipoli and returned Egypt. Arrived in Salonika on 7th February 1916 on SS Winifredian On 7th October 1916, two patrols consisting of a Troop each went sent to the village of Kalendra supported by armoured cars. The Bulgarian defenders stayed low in their trenches and were un seen until the patrols were on top of them. They then opened fire killing five men including Gallimore, 2653 Private George Ernest Morriss, 2678 Private Clarence George Belshaw and 2974 Private Gordon Handley Johnson. It is believed that the fifth fatality was 1634 Private Philip Martin Smith who is listed as dying on 6th October 1916 on CWGC but 7th October on SDGW. NB Johnson is listed as being killed in action on the 7th on SDGW but as not dying until 12th October on CWGC. Acting Sergeant at time of death
He is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial and is remembered on the Whitwell War Memorial
