School Remembrance Projects

Frederick Harold McCallum, Lieutenant
35th Battalion/75th Scottish Battalion
11th Infantry Brigade
4th Canadian Division

Personal Information: Frederick Harold McCallum was born in Smiths Falls Ontario on November 6, 1889. His father was Dr. J.S. McCallum and his mother was Janet McCallum. Frederick McCallum grew up with his family in a beautiful stone house on 110 Brockville Street in Smiths Falls, Ontario. McCallum was the youngest son of five boys and he also had two sisters. He was 6 feet tall had brown hair and grey eyes. He also had a medium complexion. McCallum left Smiths Falls for Hamilton Ontario in pursuit of becoming a lawyer. (Information gathered from Westminster Presbyterian Church records in Smiths Falls). McCallum signed up for the war on February 25, 1915 in Toronto Ontario at the age of 25. He was accepted into the Canadian Expeditionary Force on March 2, 1915. He became part of the 35th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry Unit.

While in the military McCallum made $2 dollars a day plus 60 cents a day in field allowance. He barely missed a day. In 91 days he made a total of $236.00 and when he had left the war he made a total of just over $3000.00. (Archives) On Sunday March 6, 1917 Dr. and Mrs. McCallum received a message from the recording office stating that their son Harold was severely wounded from a gun shot would to his left arm. After being sent home due to injuries he became a successful and respected lawyer in the Smiths Falls area belonging to the law firm of Lee, Simpson and McCallum. In 1923 Frederick Harold McCallum, son of Dr. and Mrs McCallum married Mrs. Winnifred Mills, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mills of Hamilton Ontario. In September 1924, Winnifred McCallum gave birth to a baby boy.

Frederick Harold McCallum was a valued member of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, was past Chairman of the Y.M.C.A. Educational Committee, a member of the Hamilton Law Association and the Hamilton Gyro Club. He was also a member of the Wardrope Lodge A.F. and A.M.. He was very highly respected by all with whom he came in contact with. (Presbyterian Church Record News).

Military Movements: McCallum arrived in England on May 27, 1915 aboard the SS Carinthian. He landed in France on September 15, 1915. He started in the 35th Battalion but was transferred on April 12, 1916 to the 75th Battalion where he fought in major battles such as the Somme and Vimy Ridge. (Archives). The 75th Battalion was very successful in the battle of the Somme on October 25, 1916 in the Ancres Heights (Regina Trench) section of the front. The 75th Battalion managed to push their way 150 yards eastward along Regina Trench. ( Nicholson) He was promoted to Lieutenant on November 21, 1916 right after the Somme area fighting ( Archives). At Vimy Ridge the 75th Battalion was not as successful. A portion of the German trenches were left undestroyed at the request of the commanding officer who had hoped to put a few battalions to good use in destroying this section of the line. However, machine gun fire from the Germans cut the 87th Battalion down which pinned the 75th Battalion on the left of the line. Between February 28 and March 1, 1917 all ranks of the 4th Canadian division were focussed on the German forces on Hill 145. This was the most successful planned raid of the winter (Nicholson). It is at this time that McCallum is shot in his left arm by machine gun fire.

Medical Records:On March 1, 1917 McCallum was shot in his left arm by machine gun fire fracturing the bone. He received medical treatment right away at Number 18 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station. After surgery his suffered from a very unsteady body temperature. Medical records indicate that between March 1 to March 12, 1917 his temperature ranged from 97.7 degrees to 102.5 degrees. During the latter half of March his temperature was normal and he spent the next three and a half months at the military base hospital. After all the surgeries and recovery time he was deemed unfit for duty by base doctors and was sent back to Canada aboard the SS Missanabie on July 21, 1917. McCallum spent six months in the Toronto Base Hospital before being discharged from the service. (Archives) On December 14, 1924 Frederick Harold McCallum was admitted to the Christie Street Hospital in Toronto when he died from an illness he had been fighting for several months. (Presbyterian Church records)

The Final Days: Frederick McCallum spent most of his life after the war in and out of hospitals due to his war injuries. His injuries finally caught up to him and he passed away late on Sunday night on December 24, 1924. (Archives) His funeral took place on Wednesday December 17, 1924 at 2:00 pm at the Hamilton Cemetery with a reception at the residence of Charles Mills, 36 Robinson Street, Hamilton Ontario. His burial reference number is unknown. (Presbyterian Church -Record News)

Lest We Forget: Frederick Harold McCallum died at the age of 35. Leaving his wife Winnifred McCallum. He also left behind his mother Janet and father Dr. J.S. McCallum and his four brothers and two sisters. His wife received his medals and decorations while his mother received his Memorial Cross. ( Archives) His father donated a bronze plaque commemorating his son to the Smiths Falls Presbyterian Church where it remains today.

Primary Source
Military Files
National Archives of Canada

Internet
www.vac-acc.gcc.ca
www.archives.ca
www.cwgc.org

Text
Nicholson, Colonel G.W.L, Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914-1919 (Queen's Printer, 1964)
Westminster Presbyterian Church Records - Smiths Falls, Ontario
Record News - Smiths Falls Library Microfilm