New Member - searching for info on my Grandpa Victor John Callus - RWF 1906-1913

[VJC angela]

Hi,
My name's Angela and I live in South Wales. I have been searching without any success for details of my grandfather's service in the RWF. I would be so grateful if anyone on this Forum could help me out please.

My GF was Victor John Callus, DOB 6-10-1887. He joined the Royal Welch Fusiliers on 23-08-1906 after walking into Maindee Barracks in Cardiff after he was laid off as a cabinet maker. I don't know what battalion or section he was in and we know very little about his service record. The only other info I have is that he was serving in Ireland in 1911 and was sent back over to Caernarvon for the Prince of Wales' investiture where he was in the Guard of Honour. After the event they returned to Dublin. (Ref. Letter from his father 1911 to another son).

I have some photos which I think may have been taken in Aldershot which I can post here if that helps?

On the back of one photo it says he was in the Engineer's Balloon section in 1912 and in 1913 I believe he had the rank of Sergeant Major 1st class. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1913 and served out the rest of his career in the RFC and RAF. I have his service records for the RFC/RAF but nothing else.

I would also be interested to find out if there is any way of finding the records for his older brother, Harry Callus. Harry was a "bit of a lad"! He joined the RN at 15, claiming he was 16, then deserted c. 1905 or 6. He also joined the RWF but I don't know what year. According to my Mum, he joined under a false name to avoid being found out but to my Grandpa's acute embarrassment, their colleagues kept remarking how they were so alike they could almost be brothers! From this I'm assuming they would have been in the same section. Harry came clean at the outbreak of WW1 when there was a bit of an amnesty for those with chequered histories. During WW1 he was in the 8th Battalion of the RWF and served in Mesopotamia as Colour SM. He was in Suva Bay in the Dardanelles. On 26 Aug 1918 he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal with the following accolade:

"9251 C.S.M. H. M. E. Callus, R. W. Fus. ("E." Cardiff).
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. For upwards of three years he has consistently performed distinguished service, invariably displaying great coolness and courage under fire, and at all times setting an example of devotion to duty worthy of the highest praise."


Between 1914-20 Harry went on to serve as an Acting Warrant Officer,Class 1 and Company Sergeant M.

So I am wondering whether there might be anything on his service record to indicate what name he enlisted under originally (possibly Smith or Calleja).

I have tried the usual search boxes for details of Victor and Harry and turned up nothing between 1906-13. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Angela

[welchboy]

Angela, With reference to Harry. Entered Royal Navy 21/07/1902 for 12 years, as Boy Seaman Second Class, Official Number 210537. Details given on entry, Name : Harry Edward Callus, date of birth 21/07/1884, ( actual was 21/07/1885 ) born Cardiff, Occupation Office Boy.
Deserted Portland 09/11/1905 Rank at the time of desertion was Able Seaman. Note on his service record states that he was not claimed for further service, and it was approved restoration of pensionable service for army pension purposes. That would indicate that at some point he surrendered himself to naval authorities.

With regard to his army service, he had the following numbers 9251 and 4178917, on his medal index card his name is recorded as Harry M.E. Callus, however, discharge index has him recorded as H. Callus. I suspect that on joining the army he used the name that appears on his Medal Card.

Hope this helps, Dave

[VJC angela]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your help with info on Harry, very interesting.

Do you think there is any chance of there being any surviving service records for Harry and Victor's time in the army pre WWI?

Kind Regards,
Angela

[VJC angela]

I am posting a couple of photos which I hope may help someone answer my questions re my Grandfather Victor Callus.

The 1st is a gym photo taken at Aldershot c.1913. My GF is on the far right of the middle row. The caption underneath says Victor Callus, Lt Serg. 1st R Welsh Fus. Sorry if this is a really stupid question but is the 1st R his regiment?




The 2nd photo is about the same date, not labelled. Does anyone recognise the camel monument - is it Aldershot? I think Victor is 2nd row from the front, seated on the far R.


Any help much appreciated. By the way, I would love to hear from anyone who recognises a relative from the gym photo!

Angela

[Baconwallah]

Callus H.M.E. 9251 CSM DCM

Born Cardiff, Harry Merry Edward Callus enlisted in the RWF and as C/Sgt he embarked for Gallipoli 09/07/1915 with 8 RWF, serving until Dec 1915 when withdrawn to Egypt, saw action in Palestine and later as CSM was awarded the DCM for gallantry. He was away from the Battaliion twice (wounds, sickness or leave).
He re-attested 13/03/1919 as 4178817 RQMS, then served until discharged 25/02/1929. He re-enlisted 12/07/1939.

DCM Citation :- For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. For upwards of three years he has consistently performed distinguished service, invariably displaying great coolness and courage under fire, and at all times setting an example of devotion to duty worthy of the highest praise.

DCM (LG 21/10/1918)

John

[welchboy]

Angela, Reference the photograph with the statue in the back ground. The statue is that of Gordon of Kartoum and is situated at Royal School of Military Engineering, Bampton Barracks, Chatham .

It still provides and supports military engineering and other technical support for the British army.

Cheers Dave

[VJC angela]

Thanks John, I didn't know Harry was at Gallipoli, very interesting. This has certainly helped fill in some details of his service history.

Cheers,
Angela

[VJC angela]

Ah, at last I can label the photo properly!

Many thanks Dave.

Cheers,
Angela

[Baconwallah]

I can add that Harry Callus went to Gallipoli as CQMS, D Company.

Enlistment was in the first week of September 1906.

John