Lawrence Gallagher BEM

Lawrence was born on the 30th April 1945 and served with the Royal Engineers before joining the Special Air Service.

He died when the Sea King Helicopter he was travelling in ditched into the sea on 19th May 1982.

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J E Ellis

‘Lofty’ as he was known to his mates started out as a Royal Engineer at Old Park Barracks, the home of the Junior Leaders Regiment RE. Even as a boy he was a big lad, often being referred to as the Yorkshire pit pony.

We parted company in 1963 and went on to other things. I met him again in 1979 in Portadown NI when he was getting off a helicopter, looking very dirty and tired. None the less we recognised each other instantly and agreed to meet in the mess that night.

We shared a few pints and laughs about our youth, discussed our forthcoming retirement and once again parted company. I never asked him about his work with the SAS and he didn’t offer any information, not that I would have expected him to.

My abiding memory of Lofty is his constant taking of showers and his mock battles with his long-time pal Gelder. I was deeply saddened at his death each Remembrance Day I think of him …….. there but for the grace of God, go I.

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Family and friends are encouraged to contribute.

We will add information to this memorial as we receive it.

If you have a photo, an anecdote, or simply to say you remember him, we will be very pleased to hear from you, so please contact the sama office at [email protected]