Colin Boyd has submitted the following:
John was born on 3rd December 1892 and was working as a crane driver, living with his father, Michael at 29, Northumberland Street, Blyth, when he enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers on 2nd September 1914.
He transferred to the RNVR on 10th September 1914 and joined the Anson Battalion on 22nd October 1914. John transferred to the 189th Infantry Brigade on 17th October 1916 as batman to Lt. Douglas and rejoined the Anson Battalion on 6th November 1916.
He was invalided to the UK on 16th November 1916 suffering from a bayonet wound to the right hand. He joined the 223rd M. G. Company in France on 3rd November 1917 having qualified as a 1st Class Machine Gunner and served until he was posted as killed in action on 2nd December 1917.
The Company War Diary states "During hostile barrage resulting from offensive of 32nd Division AB J. Gallagher was killed."