GALLARD, MARK EDWARD (1899-1971), journalist and newspaper executive, was born on 29 April 1899 at Marsfield, Sydney, fifth of twelve children (nine of them boys) of native-born parents Silas James Gallard, orchardist, and his wife Lucy, née Hicks. The children grew up on the family's virtually self-sufficient 15-acre (6 ha) farm. On leaving Ryde Public School, Mark helped in the orchard and joined the Militia in 1916. Transferring to the Australian Imperial Force on 8 February 1918, he was posted to the 35th Battalion on 20 October, and spent nine months in France and England. He was discharged in Sydney on 8 October 1919 and found work as a clerk. His eldest brother Bertram had died from wounds in 1915; his youngest brother Clive was to be killed in action in Malaya in 1942.

Against his parents' wishes (as his fiancée was not a Baptist), on 16 July 1921 ...

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Source:

Australian Dictionary of Biography