35th BATTALION AIF
Private: 2356 John "Jack" McCALLUM.
Born: 1893. Tradeston, Glasgow, Scotland.
Married:
Wife: Priscilla McCallum. nee:
Died: 30th of June 1921. Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia.
Father: Collin McCallum. (1862-1912)
Mother: Mary McCallum. nee: Stewart. (1860-1937)
INFORMATION
Private: 2356 John "Jack" McCALLUM enlisted with his brother Private:2355 Anthony McCALLUM and Sergeant: 1197 Andrew McCALLUM who served with the 34th Battalion.
No.2356 John McCALLUM was born in Scotland but immigrated to Australia. He was a married 22 year old Miner from Aberdare in NSW when he enlisted in the AIF on the 10th of June 1916.
He embarked from Australia with the 4th Reinforcements to the 35th Battalion, on board the HMAT (A30) 'Borda', which departed Sydney on the 17th of October 1916 and arrived at Plymouth in England on the 9th of January 1917. On arrival he marched in to the 9th Training-Battalion.
He deployed across from England to France on the 20th of March 1917 and was taken-on-strength by the 35th Battalion AIF (Newcastle's Own), who were back in Billets at Armentieres, on the 9th of April.
He was with the 35th Battalion for the attacks on 'MESSINES' on the 7th of June 1917 and for the attack on 'PASSCHENDAELE' on the 12th of October 1917.
On the 20th of February 1918 he was on leave in Scotland, when he reported sick. He was admitted on the following day to the Military Hospital at Maryhill, in Glasgow. On the 6th of March he was released from Hospital and allowed to finish the balance of his leave before returning to France.
On the 9th of March 1918 he rejoined the 35th Battalion.
He was with the Battalion in late March of 1918 when the 9th Brigade was rushed south to the SOMME and used as a 'mobile formation' being thrown in to strengthen the line wherever needed. He was there for the "1st BATTLE OF VILLERS-BRETONNEUX" on the 4th of April 1918.
On the 8th of June 1918, at Villers-Bretonneux, he was WOUNDED-IN-ACTION by Poison-Gas. He was evacuated through the medical evacuation system and transferred to England, where he was admitted to the Mile End Military Hospital, at Bancroft Road, Tower Hamlets, London, diagnosed as suffering from Laryngitis and poison gas..
He was returned to Australia in January 1919 and discharged from the AIF.
He died on the 30th of June 1921, with his death attributed to War Service. He was buried at the Cessnock Cemetery.
(Bill Durant: 2019)
Military Records
