Hugh Garland grew up in Alberton, and was educated at Port Adelaide State School. He started work in 1909 as a journalist at the Port Adelaide branch of the Register. In 1912 he was transferred to the Adelaide staff as a general reporter. During World War I, Garland initially served with the 16th Battalion AIF in Egypt and Gallipoli and later with the 48th Battalion in France and Belgium. He was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions at Pozieres, in August 1916. He briefly returned to Australia in 1917 whilst recovering from wounds, but subsequently returned to France. He was killed near Villers-Bretonneux, in May 1918. At the time of his death he had attained the rank of lieutenant. During the war he kept a diary of his experiences and a volume of 'vignettes' and poems which was published posthumously.
