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
NA
UK & Other Memorials
St Albans Citizens Memorial,
Tabernacle Baptist Church,
Campfield Press Printing Works Memorial, St Albans
Pre War
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.
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.
Joining the Hertfordshire Territorials on 30 March 1909 in St Albans, service no 1125.
Wartime Service
Served as part of the 118 Brigade, 39 Division.
Mentioned in dispatches 14 Jan 1916 and awarded the Military Medal in 10 Oct 1916. He death is presumed on or after 31st July 1917. A sergeant 265058 in the 1st 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 8th. The following July Callow distinguished himself in the field and has twice been recommended for honour – once on January 3rd 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 31st 1917 now officially considered killed on that date.
Biography
Acknowledgments
Helen Little
Gareth Hughes
