Friday 11 January 2013

Private William Peter Callahan

Born on 8 April 1895 in Birmingham, England - brother of Mrs. Rose Burton, Birmingham, England - enlistment records provide the following: trade as farmer, single, no current or previous military service, Roman Catholic, height of 5 feet 2.5 inches, chest of 36.5 inches fully expanded, dark complexion, brown eyes, brown hair.

Joined the 59th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Barriefield, Ontario, on 4 June 1915 - transferred to the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Barriefield, Ontario, on 29 July 1915 (number 410700) - served with the 38th Battalion during its period of garrison duty in Bermuda - landed in France on 13 August 1916 - killed in action on 9 April 1917 - name listed on the Vimy Memorial, France.

(Updated with a photo of Pte Callahan's inscription on the Vimy Memorial that I took in August 2012).

(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org)

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