In Memory of
GALLAGHER, OMAR BURTON, O B
Rank: Private
Service: G/18212
Carleton and York Regiment, R.C.I.C.
who died
22 July 1943
Age 22 years old
Remembered with honour
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
Born 3 Mar 1921,Stanley, York County, New Brunswick, Canada;
Son of Nelson and Dora Gallagher.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 2009-08-05
Here is a passage from "Operation Husky" page 352 and 353 by Mark Zuehlke about the patrol where Omar Gallagher was a part of:"July 23rd proved disastrous for the Carleton and York Regiment. At 1100 hours a twenty-eight man patrol from "A" Company set out to check whether a pink house on a nearby hill was occupied. Sergeant Arthur Wallace Eatman's instructions were to be back by dusk, but the patrol failed to return.
The following day a company strenght patrol went out and found five bodies. These were identified as Eatman and privates Walter James Lapointe, Omar Burton Gallagher, William Joseph McCauley and William Henry Morris. The rest of the platoon was presumed lost as prisoners. Except for one, all later confirmed as having been captured. Private Arlie William Hanson was designated as missing, presumed dead. What happened to the patrol was never determined."
Elmer Gallagher joined the army when he was 17 years old. When he came home in his army uniform his father took the uniform back to the recruiting station and told them he was under age. Elmer then went to another province where he changed his birth certificate, told them a different age and changed his name from Elmer to Omar. He then joined the army again and was sent overseas to the UK. He went missing then....
Omar had six brothers and six sisters. His parents deceased in 1940 and 1943.
Find Grave, 2024-11-27
Information courtesy of the 