Name
Herbert Callam
7/8/1898
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/09/1918
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
254880
Royal Field Artillery
'C' Battery, 174th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
SUN QUARRY CEMETERY, CHERISY
Row G, Grave 9.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
St Michael and All Angels Church Memorial, Watford,
St Mary's Parish Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Thomas Owen and Eliza Annie (nee NEWTON) CALLAM of Watford.
His parents married 3 August 1895 at St Mary’s, Watford. Eliza died 6 February 1942 in Watford aged 72, and was buried 11 February in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Thomas died 7 December 1945 in Watford aged 75, and was buried 12 December, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Herbert was born 7 August 1898 in Watford, and baptised 6 November 1898 at St Mary’s, Watford. He attended Victoria Junior School, Watford; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 3 September 1907 to 1 March 1909. He resided in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 2 he lived in Watford, with his parents and one sibling. On the 1911 Census, at school aged 12, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Hertfordshire [!]; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and died of wounds received in action.
Additional Information
There is an article about Herbert in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 28 September 1918; and another article and a Death announcement in the issue dated 12 October 1918; plus an In Memoriam in the issue dated 20 September 1919.
Herbert is also commemorated on his parent's grave in Vicarage Road Cemetery
is also commemorated on the family headstone in Watford Cemetery. His part of the inscription reads:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
GUNNER HERBERT CALLUM C/174 BDC. R.F.A.
BORN 7. AUGUST 1898. DIED OF WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION 22. SEPT. 1918.
SON OF MR. T. O. CALLUM OF THIS TOWN.
"HE DIED THE NOBLEST DEATH A MAN CAN DIE, FIGHTING FOR GOD AND RIGHT AND LIBERTY, AND SUCH A DEATH IS IMMORTALITY."
BURIED IN SUN QUARRY CEMETERY NEAR CROISELLES, FRANCE
*1 CWGC records date of death as 21st Sept.
Unfortunately, Herbert’s Service record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
