Bertram Stuart Gallard

His Story

Bertram Stuart Gallard, known by those close to him as Bert, was the eldest of twelve children. An orchardist by trade, he enlisted into the army on the 15 March 1915, just weeks before the fateful Gallipoli landings.

After training in Egypt with the 20th Battalion, B Company, Gallard landed at Anzac Cove on 22 August 1915, just after dawn.  

“a harrow foreshore under steep, scrubby, slopes and yellow clay cliffs cut into by short, deep, ravines”

(20th Battalion Unit Diary, p.22)

laid before them, a landscape already scared by months of fighting, it was a harrowing preview of what Gallard, and his fellow soldiers would witness throughout their time on the peninsula.

Quickly after landing, B Company was ordered north, to a narrow ridge known as Russell’s Top, which was situated between the Lone Pine and the Nek. This trek involved navigating through the winding, rough terrain of the Anzac sector, hauling supplies and gear through Shrapnel Gully and Monash Valley before reaching Russel’s Top.

At Russell’s Top, there orders were to fortify the trenches which were under constant Turkish fire. The diary of the 20th Battalion paints a grim picture of their life in the trenches.

“Very quiet day… Men employed improving trenches and saps. Great difficulty experienced owing to the rocky nature of the ground.”

(20th Battalion Unit Diary, 29 August 1915)

Their days were ruled by the sound of picks and shovels. Digging into hard, sun-baked rock exposed them to sniper fire and exhaustion alike. At night, they rotated to front-line sections, eyes straining in the dark for movement, hearts pounding at every rustle.

“Water fatigue sent out. Enemy artillery more active today, several shrapnel shells bursting over reserve trench. No casualties.”

(Unit Diary, 30 August 1915)

Securing fresh water was another difficult task B Company men volunteered to retrieve supplies from the back lines, dodging shells and sniper fire for every canteen filled. Sleep was a luxury. Men huddled in dugouts carved from rock and sandbags, waking to fleas, heat, and the threat of shelling.

“Only two months later, in occupation trenches on Russell’s Top and under constant attack from the Turkish enemy, Bertram received a gunshot wound to his neck.”

(Ryde Goes To War, 104)

He was evacuated to the hospital ship Rewa, which was on route to the 3rd Australian General Hospital on Lemnos. Unfortunately, Bert succumbed to his wounds on the 31^st of October 1915 and was buried at sea.

His death was recorded in the Cumberland Argus, where they remarked his character as…

“a fine stamp of Australian manhood… universally esteemed for his many good qualities.”

(Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrower’s advocate, 13 November 1915)

Before Gallard had departed for war, the congregation of St Philip’s Church in Eastwood had honoured him with a farewell evening. Not knowing it would be the last time any of them would see him.

He is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, the Eastwood School of Arts Honour Roll, and Ryde Public School.

Though the 20th Battalion didn’t launch a major offensive during Gallard’s time at Gallipoli, their presence at Russell’s Top was crucial. They helped to stabilise the Anzac line after the failed August offensives, enduring constant pressure in one of the most dangerous sections of the front.

Bertram’s younger brother, Mark, would later enlist in the same battalion — a tribute and a burden no family should have to bear twice.