Topic: AIF - 1B - 2 LHR
2nd LHR, AIF
2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment
Thomas O'Callaghan
Thomas O'Callaghan
Service number: 2477
Rank: Trooper [Tpr]
Unit: 2nd Australian Light Horse
Service: Army
Conflict: 1914-1918
Date of death: 4 August 1916
Cause of death: Killed in action
Cemetery or memorial details: EGYPT 2 Kantara War Memorial Cemetery
War Grave Register notes: O'CALLAGHAN, Tpr. Thomas, 2477. 2nd Australian Light Horse. Killed in action 4th Aug., 1916. Son of Ellen O'Callaghan, of Doctor's Hill, Kingwilliamstown, Co. Cork, Ireland, and the late Cornelius O'Callaghan. B. 41.
Source: AWM145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918 War, Army.
A brief military biography of Thomas O'Callaghan from The AIF Project:
| Regimental number | 2477 |
| Place of birth | Doctor's Hill, King Williamstown, Cork County, Ireland |
| School | King Williamstown School, Ireland |
| Other training | Nil |
| Age on arrival in Australia | 23 |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Address | Charleville, Queensland |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 29 |
| Next of kin | Father, Thomas O'Callaghan, Charleville, Queensland |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | 5 October 1915 |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 2nd Light Horse Regiment, 17th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 10/7/4 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A10 Karroo on 5 May 1916 |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 2nd Light Horse Regiment |
| Other details from Roll of Honour Circular | "Had a hard life, sent out to 'service' to earn more, to help support a very big dad, at the early age of 10 and 11 years." (Information supplied by mother). |
| Fate | Killed in Action 4 August 1916 |
| Place of death or wounding | France |
| Age at death | 33 |
| Place of burial | Kantara War Memorial Cemetery (Row B, Grave No. 41), Egypt |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 3 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Ellen Oand the late Cornelius O'CALLAGHAN, Doctor's Hill, KINGWILLIAMSTOWN, Co. Cork, Ireland |
| Family/military connections | Brother: 474 Pte Michael O'CALLAGHAN, 15th Bn, killed in action, 8 August 1915. |
| Other details | War service: Egypt Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Miscellaneous details | Note difference in details re father: Embarkation Roll states father to be Thomas O'CALLAGHAN; OWG File gives father as the late Cornelius O'CALLAGHAN. |
Lest We Forget
Additional Reading:
2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF
2nd Australian Light Horse Regiment, Roll of Honour
Battle of Romani, Sinai, August 4 to 5, 1916
Bir el Abd, Sinai, 9 August 1916
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1919
Citation: 2nd LHR, Roll of Honour, Thomas O'Callaghan
