Private Peter Callinan, Number 5978, 8th Battalion A.I.F.
He was born in Carlton Victoria, Son of Edward and Ellen Callinan, of 24, Stanley St., Richmond, Victoria, Australia. His father is noted as deceased at his enlistment.
By all accounts he was a good mate and soldier. He spoke French, had a good education, was missed by all his comrades and won the Military Medal for his splendid work at Polygon Wood, in September 1917, 4 days before his death.
He was educated at Christian Brother’s College, East Melbourne. He did a 4 year Apprenticeship with the Australian Land Department and found employment as an Assistant Surveyor.
He Enlisted at Richmond Victoria on 11th March 1916. His age at enlistment is recorded as 38 years 6 months. He was 5’ 71/2” tall, weighed 143 lbs had grey eyes and Brown hair.
At first he was at sent to Bendigo from 13.03.16 until 6.6.16 when he moved to Broadmeadows.
He Embarked in Melbourne on the ‘Themistocles’ 28.7.16.
On 11-9-16 he disembarked at Plymouth
On 9.10.16 he was admitted to the 1st A.D.H with Venereal Disease.
He was discharged on 7.11.16 to the 2nd Training Battalion.
On the 16.11.16 he left England for France and the next day, he joined the 1st A.D.B.D at Estaples.
On 2.12.16 he was allocated to the 8th Battalion.
In early 1917 he was attached to the 1st Anzac Topographical section, but was admitted to Hospital in March and April suffering from V.D.
After his last stay in hospital on 17.4.17 he was transferred back to the back to the 8th Battalion and went back to Estaples.
Unfortunately on the 30th April he was found guilty of two crimes. Out of Bounds and Being in Possession of Spirits. For which he was sentenced to 7 days field punishment.
Finally on 21st May 1917 he made it to the 8th.
Recommendation for Military Medal for work on 30th September 1917.
“During the attack on POLYGON WOOD east of Ypres on September 30th 1917, when his Company Commander and Section Sergeant had been wounded on the way to the assembling position, Pte Callinan guided his section and company on to the taped lines on which they were to form up, thereby being instrumental in having the Company formed up before zero hour.”
He was killed in action in 4 October 1917, aged 40.
The Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau files - 1DRL/0428, contain the following reports.
“I did not actually see him killed, he was buried by A.J Wood, of 8th Btn, near Ypres, by a wood, about 2 miles in front of Anzac Ridge.” (Informant L/cpl Cruickeshank, Ward 30 Harefield).
“The Corporal and myself were walking round trying to identify the dead on October 5th and we came across Callinan. He had been hit on the head and his pay-book and identity disc were gone, but we recognized him by his face and two letters in his pocket. He was buried 6 hours later. We sent out a party to bury him. Shell-shot. Not shattered much.. He was awarded the Military Medal, but did not know it before he died. Eyewitness accounts describe him as: Peter, stout and elderly.” (Informant Lieut Hall, 8th Aus. Imp Force, 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, London.)
“Re 5978 Peter Callinan he was my mate and I, along with another buried him in the field on 5-10-17. He was killed in the heavy fighting of the morning of the 4-10-17. He was a man of about 38 years of age, of good education, spoke French and English, was a surveyor by occupation before the war. Was a good soldier and comrade and earnt the M.M. on the 20-9-17 by his splendid work and his loss was a great knock to our boys. A rough wooden cross marked his resting place, but it would very likely be knocked down after, as it was a lively sector.” (Wood A.J. 6220, 8th Battn).
“I knew (the) casualty, he was a well built man, about 5’10” tall, medium complexion, about 32 years of age, known as Peter. Casualty was in the advance at Passchendaele. He was a scout and went to No Man’s Land seeking information, when a high explosive shell landed alongside of him, killing him instantly. I did not see him killed but saw his body later and saw him again being buried at Passchendale Ridge. A cross was erected over the grave, with his name, number and unit on it.” (A.R Main 6153, 11/7/19).
He is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery Passchendaele.
Source : National Archives of Australia
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