Edmond Joseph Gallwey

Edmond Joseph Gallwey was born in Ireland on 7 Feb 1850, the son of Henry and Maria. He was educated at the Jesuit College of Clongowes and commissioned into the 13th Light Infantry in 1870, reaching the rank of Colonel. He served in the Kaffir, Sekukini and Zulu Campaigns of 1878-9 (present at Kambula), and was second in command of the 1st Battalion in the North-West Frontier in 1897-98. He was appointed Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion on 5 Aug 1898 and went with them to South Africa in Nov 1899 to fight in the Boer War. In December he was made Commandant of Estcourt in Natal, making himself somewhat unpopular by closing the pubs there. He led the battalion in the final attempt to relieve Ladysmith on 21 Feb 1900 where the battalion suffered heavy casualties. He was mentioned in despatches three times and remained in command until March 1902. He was awarded the CB and on relinquishing command on 16 March 1902 was appointed to command 13th Regimental District. He married Augusta Burtchaell in 1871 and they had a son, Henry who died on 4 July 1900, aged 18, in the Boer War. Colonel Edmond Gallwey died on 11 May 1927. The photo is a detail from a group of the officers of the 2nd Battalion immediately prior to embarkation for South Africa in 1899.

Regimental Details | Commanding Officers