Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Ypres’ M.M. group of three awarded to Private P. Callinan, 8th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, who was later killed in action during the Battle of Broodseinde, 4 October 1917

Military Medal, G.V.R. (5978 Pte P. Callinan. 8/Aust: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (5978 Pte. P. Callinan 8 Bn. A.I.F.) mounted for display, generally good very fine (3) £600-£800

M.M. London Gazette 12 December 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘During the attack on Polygon Wood, West of Ypres on September 20th 1917, when his Company Commander and Section Sergeant had been wounded on the way to the assembling position, Pte. Callinan guided his Section and Company on to the taped lines on which they were to form up, thereby being instrumental in having the Company formed up before zero hour.’

Peter Callinan was born in Carlton, Victoria, Australia in 1878. An Assistant Surveyor by trade, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 6 January 1916. Callinan served with the 8th Australian Infantry Battalion in the French theatre of war from November 1916. He was attached to the 1st Australian Typographical Section in February 1917, before returning to his parent unit in April of the same year.

Callinan distinguished himself during an attack on Polygon Wood, Ypres, 20 September 1917. The Battalion suffered casualties of 4 officers and 40 other ranks killed, and 6 officers and 160 other ranks wounded during the attack. However, they managed to capture 2 officers, 300 other ranks, 3 heavy trench mortars and 14 machine guns as a consequence of the attack.

Private Callinan was killed in action on the Western Front, 4 October 1917, and is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium.