Navy People: Christopher Gallagher
26 July 2010
Warragul sailor Lieutenant Commander Christopher Gallagher is known throughout the Royal Australian Navy as ‘Gags’ or ‘Snaggsy’.
Part of the “Gallagher’s Crossing” dynasty, Chris is the younger brother of retired businessmen Bill and Peter with three nephews having businesses in Warragul.
Chris joined the Navy in 1965 and started travelling extensively.
Despite several previous attempts to retire he continues to travel and work across three Australian states, but still calls Warragul home.
Chris joined the Navy via the then Junior Recruit scheme and on completion of basic training that covered ordinary seaman time at sea he began his career in Communications. On completion of category training he was employed at sea and ashore in communications core tasks working his way through the ranks eventually achieving the rank of Warrant Officer. “Sea service highlights during this time was involvement in the Vietnam War that included escort duties to HMAS Sydney (III) and in 1971 being embarked HMAS Brisbane for the last Navy deployment to Vietnam” Chris remembers.
“My shore posting highlights included employment in Shore Communications Centres and training roles at the Communications School, HMAS Cerberus. In 1983 I received an Order of Australia Medal in the Queens Birthday Honours List for services to Fleet Tactical Communications in the Royal Australian Navy. While Executive Officer of HMAS Cairns in 2001, I was awarded a Navy Headquarters Commendation” Chris recalls. Although Chris has been recognized for his Service in the Navy he is still a few medals behind his elder bother Bill. However, a counter punch by Chris is that after the recent HMAS Cairns redevelopment, the new recreational area, where all ranks socialise, was named after him and called the “Chris ‘Gags’ Gallagher Patio”. Chris believes that this puts him ahead in the brotherly rivalry stakes.
The years prior to his commission to Officer, he was on the staff of the Maritime Commander and assistant Staff Officer to Commodore Flotillas (COMFLOT). In these positions he was part of the Major Fleet Unit Sea Training Group. He deployed with COMFLOT embarked in HMAS Darwin when he acted as the Commander Task Group for Damask (I) deployment during the Persian Gulf conflict. “On promotion to Lieutenant my first job as an officer was the Staff Officer to Commander Australian Patrol Force where secondary to staff duties I was part of the Minor War Vessels Sea Training Group. They certify ship crews are fully trained and safe to deploy to sea.” Chris explained.
Operations Officer to the Master Attendant in Sydney, Commanding Officer of the Australian Defence Force Recruiting Unit – Townsville where I was selected for promotion to Lieutenant Commander and subsequently posted as Officer in Charge of the Personal Services Organisation in Cairns. The diversity of these jobs prepared me for the role of Executive Officer, HMAS Cairns where I completed two years prior to taking up an appointment as Maritime Surveillance Adviser, Tonga in December 2001” Chris says.
On return from Tonga, Chris and his wife Meg decided to modernise a property they had purchased in 1999 as an investment property. This started off with the kitchen and who better to do this than his nephew Andrew of Andrew Gallagher Cabinets. Chris recalls, “It started with the kitchen then worked its way through the whole house. On completion Meg and I were so impressed with the end result that we decided that this is no longer an investment property but out home”.
“On completion of the modernisation of the ‘home’ I was approached not to retire and I was employed as Staff Officer Reserves in the Navy Officers Posting Directorate in Canberra. I joined the Navy to travel and that is exactly what I have done” Chris admits.
Upon his initial retirement, becoming a Naval Reserve Officer, Chris commenced his “more comebacks that Johnny Farnham schedule” and was again appointed as Executive Officer, HMAS Cairns for all of 2005 to release the incumbent for a higher priority position. “I again became a full time serving Naval Officer from 2006 until 2008 performing the duties of Executive Officer at Naval Headquarters in Tasmania” Chris said. Fortunately, for Chris and Meg their neighbours Jenny and Wayne Smith run a ‘Jims” Mowing franchise so the yards in their absence are always maintained.
“On return to Warragul at the end of 2008 I remarked to several friends and my neighbours that this was it, I was retired. Ho hum - this lasted until the following February when I was approached to go to Navy Headquarters in Canberra and hold down a position, which I did for all of 2009” said Chris.
2010 has seen Chris doing relief work at Fleet Headquarters in Sydney and for the last few months he has been back in Cairns again giving support to his old mate, Commander Bob Heffey, who is the Commanding Officer of HMAS Cairns. June will see him in Canberra at HMAS Harman again doing relief work for their Executive Officer who is proceeding on leave overseas and then he heads back to Cairns for a month or two to catch up with his mate Bob again at HMAS Cairns.
All Chris’ family and friends wonder when this apparent retirement will actually take place. The local Warragul gym exercise mates, where Chris has been a member since his return from Tonga, just shake their heads when Chris informs them “I am back and I am retiring”.
Between work as a Reserve Naval Officer, in various locations, Chris heads home to his wife Meg and catches up with the Warragul locals. “I usually have time to mow the grass, then Meg gives me a list of things she wants me to do, then all of a sudden the Navy contact me and then my retirement falters - again. I am getting better at retirement having had a few attempts now. However, I love the travel and catching up with all the wonderful and committed sailors and officers that I have served with over the years, and of course the diversity and excitement of Navy jobs I get involved with” Chris sheepishly confides.
