The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

apanderson · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 11:29 am Post subject: Peter McCallum

Listed on Killearn, Balfron and Drymen Civic Memorials are 2 McCallums

1. Hugh McCallum, Corporal, Gordons, No. S/43601, KIA 26th October 1917

2. Peter McCallum, Private, Canadians.

Both were sons of Hugh & Catherine Eliza McCallum, Upper Ballat, Balfron Station.

I can find lots of info about Hugh, but apart from Canadian (Over-Seas Expeditionary Forces) Attestation Papers, listing his number as 420094 (confirming that he has the same parents), absolutely nothing about Peter.

He's on the 1901 & 1911 Census Returns in Drymen, then he and elder brother Duncan sail to Canada in 1913 ..... he attests at Winnipeg 18th December 1914, then .....?

Any ideas anyone?

Anne Confused

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 6:43 pm Post subject:

It's a bit annoying (and it might be me) but although Peter's service file has been "digitised" I cannot get it to download.
Can any of you IT anoraks get it????
_________________
Ken

apanderson · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 7:44 pm Post subject:

Thanks for having a look for me Ken - at least we know he actually existed!

Although I didn't realise the files could be accessed (Duh!), after you replied I went back and clicked the link - the pdf starts to download then nothing happens. Is that the same problem you had?

Anne

apanderson · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 7:48 pm Post subject:

Haud the bus!!

I left it 'running' and eventually, it downloaded!

Off to find out all about him now!

Anne Laughing

apanderson · Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 8:29 pm Post subject:

Well, 70 odd pages later, Peter McCallum was discharged on 11th April 1918.

Poor soul spent most of his term of service in one hospital or another after getting about every part of his body shot to bits.

Most of the 70 pages are hospital records with every operation and types of treatment recorded.

Why he's ended up on 3 local memorials when he survived, who knows.

Whether he went back to Canada or stayed here ......? He doesn't seem to be listed on the 1921 Canadian Census.

Anne

dhubthaigh · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 7:10 am Post subject:

Anne,

I'm sure Peter is on another war memorial in Perthshire. He died in Scotland. I have the dc and will send when I'm back home later today.

Mark

dhubthaigh · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 7:22 am Post subject:

Yes, Peter and Hugh also commemorated at Gartmore, Perthshire (I know administered by Stirling but lies, historically, in the county of Perth).

Mark

apanderson · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 8:38 am Post subject:

Fantastic Mark. Thank you!

Anne Very Happy

columba · Joined: 19 Feb 2014 Posts: 404

Anne
I was at Stirling Archives today and got talking (as one does!) to a man and a woman (not sure if they are a couple - made THAT mistake before!) who are researching Killearn war memorial and others roundabout. The woman mentioned 2 men who appear on 4 different civic memorials in the area.
Me: that wouldn't happen to be the McCallums, would it?
Woman: yes!
So I asked if they knew what happened to Peter; apparently he was discharged in 1918 (as you knew); he went back to Canada with a sister and then returned to Gartmore where he died in 1919 of heart failure, linked to his war injuries. He is buried in the family plot at Gartmore (just inside the gate on the right hand side, apparently!)
Clearly, this is verbal information and I have no way of verifying it but someone out there will!!

Sandra
PS I pointed them in the direction of the Forum!

apanderson · Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 5:20 pm Post subject:

Hi Sandra,

What a small world - eh?

I meant to add some more info but as usual, hadn't got round to it. I've got a photo of that gravestone in Gartmore! Laughing

I've sent an e-mail to a Killearn organisation (can't remember the actual name at the moment) telling them I've carried out some research and asking if they were interested in comparing notes.

I thought I had added Gartmore Churchyard & Cemetery to the War Graves Forum, but it looks like I forgot to do that as well. Too much to do and so little time ....... Wink

Anne

apanderson · Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 5:33 pm Post subject:

The boys' part of the MI reads:

"Cpl. HUGH McCALLUM, 2nd Gordons (Late of Dulet)
Killed in action in France 26th October 1917 aged 23 years
Pte. PETER McALLUM, 16th Canadians
Died of wounds received in action 21st August 1919 aged 26 years"

His DC doesn't mention any connection with war service unfortunately - his cause of death is stated Cardio Vascular Disease. He died at Drumtian Cottage, Killearn.

Anne