Add New Content


Please log in or register to add new content.

Login

Report Inaccuracies


Myer Gallewski (1897-1917)


Sunderland man remembered on plaque at Moor Street Synagogue


Myer Gallewski was born in Sunderland, the eleventh child of David Gallewski and Sophia Gallewski nee Lippman. School records give two different dates of birth for Myer but from his age at time of death he is likely to have been born on 10 June 1897. His father David was originally from Russia and Sophia originally from Germany, according to the census. It is unclear exactly when David and Sophia moved to England but they were married in Sunderland in 1873. David had various occupations listed on different censuses including a glazier painter and a general dealer.

Myer attended Hudson Road Infant’s School in Sunderland before moving to the Hudson Road Boys’ School, also in Sunderland.

Myer was still living in Sunderland when he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), enlisting in South Shields. He served with the 100th Field Ambulance as a lance corporal with the service number 64548 and first entered the theatre of war on 18 November 1915. He died of wounds at the 45th Casualty Clearing Station on 19 February 1917 at the age of 19.

Myer is buried at Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He is remembered locally on several memorials in his home town of Sunderland. One of these memorials is a brass plaque now housed at the Jewish Military Museum in London. This plaque was originally unveiled by the Mayor of Sunderland at Moor Street Synagogue, Sunderland in 1922. It was moved to Ryhope Road Synagogue, upon the closure of which it was transferred to London. The inscription on the plaque reads: “In honoured memory of the undermentioned members of the Sunderland Jewish Community who made the Supreme Sacrifice in the Great War 1914-1918.”

Myer was awarded the Military Medal, reported in the London Gazette dated 21 October 1916. He was also awarded the 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal.

There is information and a photo of Myer at the following link: https://www.jewsfww.london/myer-gallewski-mm-2444.php

Civil Parish: Sunderland

Birth date: 10-Jun-1897

Death date: 19-Feb-1917

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 4 Ann Street (1901, 1911 censuses)
5 Bishopton Street, Sunderland (Address of parents – CWGC records)

Education: Hudson Road Infant School, Sunderland
Hudson Road Boy’s School, Sunderland

Religion: Jewish

Family: Parents: David Gallewski, Sophia Gallewski nee Lippman
Siblings: Dora Gallewski, Bertha Gallewski, Marcus Gallewski, Saul Gallewski, Jacob Gallewski, Harry Gallewski, Simon Gallewski, Etty Gallewski, Grace Gallewski, Ralph Gallewski, Hyman Gallewski

Military service:

Royal Army Medical Corps, 100th Field Ambulance
Lance Corporal
Service Number 64548

Medal(s): Military Medal
1914-15 Star
Victory Medal
British War Medal

Memorial(s): Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France
Book of Remembrance, Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland
Plaque 1914-18 Synagogue, originally Moor Street, Sunderland

Gender: Male

Contributed by Fiona Johnson - Durham