Pte 49581 John Joseph Callaghan

• Age: 24
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 8th September 1917
• Commemorated at: Torreken Farm
  Panel Ref: E.1

John Joseph Callaghan was born on 03rd January 1893 in Liverpool, the son of Patrick Callaghan and his wife Margaret (nee Kearney). He was baptised at  St Alban's R.C. Church, Liverpool on 08th January 1893.

The 1901 census finds John aged 8 years of age and is living with his parents and sibling at 36 Beaumaris Street, Seaforth. His father, Patrick, is 31 years of age, born in Liverpool in 1870 and is a timber yard labourer, whilst his mother Margaret is 31 years old and was born in Ireland. His brother Patrick is aged 3. There is a visitor named Catherine Kane aged 19 from Ireland declared at the property.

The 1911 Census shows the family now living at 7 Birch Street, Seaforth, Liverpool. His father Patrick is now aged 41, and is an Assistant Superintendent for a life assurance company, whilst his mother is also aged 41. Their children were all born in Seaforth, Liverpool. They have been married for twenty years and have had six children, sadly two had died. Those listed at the property are; John aged 18, born 1893 and is a grocers assistant, Patrick aged 13, born 1898 is at school, Lawrence aged 7, born 1904 and Bernard aged 4, born 1907. Also listed at the property are; niece Margaret Shaw aged 24, born in Bootle in 1887 occupation sewing machinist, also nephews John Hanlon aged 19, born in Chelsea, Mass. USA in 1892 a barman, Peter O’Driscoll aged 25, born in Cork, Ireland in 1886 a foreman, Charles Leahy aged 19, born 1892 in Liverpool an apprentice (blacksmith). Also declared are boarders, Florence Leahy aged 16, born 1895 a draper’s assistant, Catherine Leahy aged 15, born 1896 an apprentice(dressmaking) and Edith aged 12, born 1899 at school who were all born in Seaforth.

He enlisted in Liverpool and was serving in the 20th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 49581 when he was killed in action on the 08th September, 1917 aged 24 during the Third Battle of Ypres.

He now lies in Torreken Farm Cemetery No1, Whytschaete, Belgium, where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“ETERNAL REST GRANT UNTO JOHN O LORD. MAY HE, HIS BROTHER PATRICK AND THEIR COMRADES REST IN PEACE”

Wytschaete was taken by the Germans early in November 1914, and was recovered by Commonwealth forces during the Battle of Messines on 7 June 1917, but fell into German hands once more on 16 April 1918. The village was retaken for the last time on 28 September.  The cemetery, begun by the 5th Dorset Regiment in June 1917 and used as a front line cemetery until April 1918, contains 90 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 14 German war graves.

John was listed amongst those reported killed in the Liverpool Daily Post on 16th October 1917.

Soldiers Effects to his mother Margaret and pension to his father Patrick.

John Joseph is also commemorated on the Waterloo with Seaforth Civic Memorial. 

His brother Patrick James Callaghan also fell, he was serving as Private No 308999, 8^th Battalion King’s Liverpool Regiment when he was killed aged 20 on the 20^th November 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

Grateful thanks are extended to Claire Callaghan who gave us permission to use the photograph of John Joseph.

We currently have no further information on John Joseph Callaghan, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.