Callaghan, John Albert

Hull Pals Memorial Post. SGT JOHN ALBERT CALLAGHAN 11/600. Born in January 1897, John was the eldest son of William and Mary Callaghan of 2 Sarah Ann’s Terrace, Spyvee Street, Hull. He enlisted at Hull City Hall for the then fledgling 11th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, ‘The Tradesmen’, 2nd Hull Pals. One of the Originals, John was a veteran of Egypt, the Somme, Oppy Wood and the Spring Offensive but his luck finally ran out on the night of 8th September 1918. The battalion War Diary explains:
“Another attack was launched on the 8th and for a time good progress was made. Unfortunately our left flank was turned and what at the outset seemed like being a most successful attack broke down in suffering very heavy casualties.”
John was among them. He is buried in Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck; he was 21 years old. His grave inscription, reads, “SWEET JESUS MERCY MARY HELP”