Special Sports Hall of Fame display in Dunedin

The banners were completed for the 100th anniversary of the start of the war on August 4 2014, and will be used at commemorations.

Commemoration of the centenary of the First World War provides an ideal opportunity to record for visitors to the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame the record of service and sacrifice by two of the country’s best known early sports achievers, Anthony Wilding and Dave Gallaher.

While the centenary of the start of the war was the catalyst for two memorial banners, they will become a permanent feature of the Hall. They also have the advantage of being mobile so can be used elsewhere on special occasions, including commemorative events until 1919.

Wilding won the Wimbledon men’s singles title four times and remains the only New Zealand winner. He was one of the drawcard players in world tennis before the war. He was killed at Neuve Chapelle in May 1915.

Gallaher was captain of the 1905-06 New Zealand rugby team that toured the British Isles, France and North America. He was later an Auckland and All Black selector. Gallaher was killed at Passchendaele in October 1917.