Hugh Joseph B. Callaghan (1894–1918)
Hugh Joseph Bentley Callaghan, c 1916 photographer unknown
from Bank of NSW Roll of Honour
HUGH JOSEPH BENTLEY CALLAGHAN, the son of Mr. Hugh J. Callaghan and Mrs. Annie Callaghan, was born at Petersham, New South Wales, on 16th May, 1894. He was educated at Cooks’ Hill High School, Newcastle, and showed an inclination for military work at an early age, holding the rank of sergeant in the School Cadets when only twelve years old.
He entered the service of the Bank on 1st June, 1911, at Millthorpe, and was transferred to Crookwell in the following year, and to Cooma in August, 1914. He enlisted in November, 1916, and was promoted to the rank of corporal within a month. On 21st June, 1917, he left on the “Suevic,” attaining the rank of sergeant on embarkation.
Before leaving Australia he had been offered clerical work in the army, and similar opportunities were offered him on joining his unit; but his old love of military work persisted, and he took his place in the line, and met his death in Hangard Wood, France, on 9th April, 1918, when the Australians were holding up the advancing Germans.
Original Publication
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- World War I service record, item B2455, CALLAGHAN H J B (National Archives of Australia)
- death notice, Sydney Morning Herald, 11 May 1918, p 12
Citation details
'Callaghan, Hugh Joseph B. (1894–1918)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/callaghan-hugh-joseph-b-23264/text32439, accessed 14 March 2025.
Hugh Joseph Bentley Callaghan, c 1916 photographer unknown
from Bank of NSW Roll of Honour
Life Summary [details]
Birth
16 May,
1894
Petersham, Sydney,
New South Wales,
Australia
Death
9 April,
1918
(aged 23)
Hangard Wood,
France
Religious Influence
Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.