More about Lawrence Galligan

Lawrence Galligan was born in Scouringburn, Dundee on the 10th of February 1877, to Edward Galligan & Rose Smith (of Co. Longford & Co. Cavan, Ireland).

In Lawrence’s early years, Edward was an out-of-work weaver and Rose sewed sacks in order to pay for her children’s schooling (newspaper articles).

Lawrence had one sister and four brothers that we know of (Annie, Patrick, Joseph, Edward, and Thomas). By 1891, Rose and her children worked in a jute mill.

In 1897, Lawrence married Maggie Ann Foley, and he is listed as a furniture dealers labourer. Later records show he went back to work in the jute mill and was a reservist. Lawrence & Maggie had ten children that we know of, four lived to be adults (Ellen, Daniel, Patrick, and Edward).

From records, it seems that Lawrence would have participated in: Landing at La Havre, Battle of Mons, Battle of the Marne, first Battle of the Ainse, first Battle of Ypres/Flanders, Battle of Givenchy, Winter Operations 1914-15, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Loos. He died of his wounds on the 21st of October 1915 and is buried in Abbeville, France.

In the 1911 census, he lived at 12 Burnett Street in Dundee with his family.

Lawrence Galligan   3/3290   1st Black Watch

A RESERVIST’S DEATH.

Mrs Galligan, 42 Brook Street, Dundee, has received official intimation of the death in a French Hospital on 10th inst. of her husband, Private Lawrence Galligan, 1st Black Watch.  Private Galligan, who was 36 years of age, served twelve years in the 3rd Battalion.  When called up as a reservist at the outbreak of war he was employed as a mill worker.  He leaves a widow and four of a family.

Dundee Courier 26th October 1915