The AIF Project

Archibald McCALLUM

Regimental number5416
Place of birthGoulburn New South Wales
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationClerk
AddressGoulburn, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Next of kinMother, Mrs I McCallum, Lithgow Street , Goulburn, New South Wales
Enlistment date14 December 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name1st Battalion, 17th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/18/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A49 Ceramic on 14 April 1916
Rank from Nominal RollCorporal
Unit from Nominal Roll53rd Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 4 October 1917

FateReturned to Australia 8 May 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as a runner. On the 26th September 1917 when the battalion was occupying the POLYGON BUTTE a message was received for guides to report at HOOGE for ration parties. Lance Corporal McCALLUM set out and reached his destination safely guiding the mule train back as far as GLENCOURSE WOOD where the rations had to be dumped as heavy shell fire prevented the train from going further. Lance Corporal McCALLUM then returned to the line and collected ration parties and led them back to the ration dump and back again to the line - thus he 3 times crossed an area subjected to heavy shell fire all that night and was on this duty for a continuous period of 14 hours. At all other times between 24th and 29th September this N.C.O. performed excellent work as a runner under very trying and adverse circumstances. I consider his devotion to duty in getting up these rations under these circumstances contributed largely to the welfare and comfort of the men of the battalion.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 76
Date: 23 May 1918

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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