Linda Gowans has submitted the following:-
The 1911 census for 16 Bancroft Terrace showed James Callum, Riveter for a shipbuilder, his wife Elizabeth Ellen, and seven children: five daughters and two sons, born between 1884 and 1903. John Bell, born 1894, was an Apprentice Plater for a shipbuilder, while one of his sisters was a Pawnbroker’s Assistant and another a Typist for an electrician. All were born in Sunderland. John was an apprentice plater at Messrs J.L. Thompson's Shipyard when he enlisted in September 1914.
None of John Bell Callum’s service papers can be traced.
At the time of his death, 99th Field Company was with the 22nd Division, which took part in the Battle of Machukovo, 13th-14th September 1916. The battle, which followed a heavy bombardment north of the village (still in ruins after the Balkan Wars which preceded WW1), resulted in the German position being stormed and occupied, though it was subsequently found necessary to retire.
John Bell Callum died of wounds, likely to have been received during this little-known fighting in hill country which made attack very difficult.
Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
John Bell Callum is remembered at Sunderland on S140.009, S140.010, S140.048 part 7 and S140.128
