Memorial Service, to commemorate the death of the first All Black captain Dave Gallaher at the Battle of Broodseinde, 4 Oct 1917. The service took place at Nine Elms Cemetery, Poperinge on Sunday 4 October 2015 at 1030 hrs.

Thirteen former All Black rugby players were killed in the First World War – one in 10 of those who had worn the black jersey during the previous decade. Four of them were killed within a fortnight in June 1917 when the New Zealand Division took part in the assault on the Messines ridge.

The most famous of the All Black casualties was Sergeant Dave Gallaher, who had captained the All Black Originals on their celebrated 1905–06 tour of Britain, France and North America. He was mortally wounded on 4 October 1917 during the successful, but costly, attack on ‘s Graventafel Spur. He died soon after and was buried at Nine Elms Cemetery, Poperinge. Officially aged 41, Gallaher was actually almost 44. He had first lowered his age when volunteering to fight in the South African War in 1901.























Address by Mininster Maggie Barry from New Zealand.









A tribute by David Rhodes, President New Zealand Rugby Union.







A poem to Dave Gallaher written and read by Jeremy Worth, Letterkenny Rugby Club, County Donegal, Ireland.



Wreaths were laid by Minister Maggie Barry and Major General Peter Kelly, Chief of Army New Zealand.,







Mayor Christof Dejaegher of Poperinge,





and Christoph Onraet, area commander West-Flanders.



A poppy was placed at the grave of Dave Gallaher.















Rugby ball tributes









The Last Post by the buglers of the Last Post Association.



















Page made by Westhoek.be / WO1.be - Greatwar.be.