Gilbert W Callow (MM)

Name

Gilbert W Callow (MM)
1892

Conflict

First World War

Date of Death / Age

31/07/1917
26

Rank, Service Number & Service Details

Serjeant
265058
Hertfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.

Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards

British War and Victory medals
Military Medal

Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country

YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 54 and 56
Belgium

Headstone Inscription

Not Researched

UK & Other Memorials

St Albans Citizens Memorial Tabernacle Baptist Church Campfield Press Printing Works Memorial, St Albans

Pre War

He worked for the Salvation Army in St Albans and the Campfield Press who were letterpress and lithographic printers and binders, created in St Albans by the Salvation Army following the continued expansion of their work meaning that larger premises were required to print all the Army newspapers – the War Cry, Young Soldier, and Musician – as well as devotional literature such as Bibles, prayer books and hymnbooks.

Wartime Service

Served as part of the 118 Brigade, 39 Division.

Killed in action.

Biography

William Gilbert Callow was born in York Road, Lambeth in 1892 to Frederick Charles (B: 1868) and Ellen (B: 1870) (nee Cox).

In 1901 the family are living at 27 Swaffield Road Wandsworth, William lives with his brothers John Frederick H 4, Reginald 4 months and sister Elsie Jane 2. Father’s occupation is a brass finisher.

By 1911 the family have moved to Jasmine Cottage, Warwick Road and a daughter Nellie Gladys 3 has been added to the family. Father was a brass musical instrument maker and William‘s occupation a bookbinder’s assistant. The St Albans Tabernacle records always refer to him as Gilbert. He came into membership of the St Albans Tabernacle Church on 24 June 1911. Gilbert started teaching in the Primary Sunday School department in early 1911.

Joining the Hertfordshire Regiment in 30 March 1909 in St Albans, servce no 1125. Mentioned in dispatches 14 Jan 1916 and awarded the Military Medal in 10 Oct 1916. He death is presumed on or after 31^st July 1917. A sergeant 265058 in the 1^st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment. His name is inscribed on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

Newspaper report from Advertiser 12 January 1917:

Sergeant W G Callow – St Albans Man Awarded Military Medal

Sergeant William Gilbert Callow, Herts Regiment has been awarded the Military Medal for distinguished conduct in the field. “Bert” as he is known to his friends, is not yet twenty-five years of age. He joined the Herts regiment seven year ago and was away at the annual camp when war broke out, but in three days the regiment was in barracks, and left for France on November 8^th. The following July Callow distinguished himself in the field and has twice been recommended for honour – once on January 3^rd 1916 by Sir John French with nine other of the Herts Regiment. Sergt. Callow used to go to Hatfield-road School and was subsequently apprenticed to book-binding at the Salvation Army Printing Works. He is a member of the Baptist Tabernacle Church and was hon. Secretary of the primary department of the Sunday School. His mother resides in Russell Rise, Luton.

When the Regiment first went to France there was no bomb section, but a little while after, twelve men were wanted from his Regiment to learn bombing. He was one to volunteer and went into the Irish Guards to learn all about it. Coming back to his regiment he led a section, being then a corporal. After a time, each regiment had its company of bombers, and he then being a sergeant had a company up to about five months ago. After returning from leave he was made instructor as No –Divisional Bomb [?] – in France quite away from his regiment where he has the Herts men coming down in squads to be instructed in the art of bombing. He fought at Ypres, Fortuburtand, Brickfields and other places, and he has come through as he acknowledges, “by the goodness of God” safely.

Newspaper report from Advertiser 10 August 1918:

Segt G Callow MM Herts Regiment of Luton. Reported wounded and missing July 31^st 1917 now officially considered killed on that date.

Acknowledgments

Helen Little
Gareth Hughes