Brigadier F.M.McCallum CIE OBE MC

[Guest Guard 1]

I'm having a hard time trying to find out information on the above officer. I have found out what he recevied his MC for from the London Gazette (awarded in 1923). I also know his first name is Frank and he arrived in Armitsar in april 1919. The other medals awarded to him are 2 Indian general service medals a 39-45 star a defence and a war medal with MID. When he got his MC he was in the 9th Gurkha rifles as a lieutentant. I belive that by 1929 he was a captain in the Indian army and still a captain in 1937 but this is unconfirmed. I have not been able to find out any more than this.

If anyone could help that would be great.

Many thanks

Rowland.

[armourersergeant]

In April 1919 the massacre at Armitsar took place when General Dyer and a hadful of troops put down a rebellion. At the time he was heralded with saving the empire. With hindsight he was at best over enthusiastic and nearer a murder. He was quoted at a trial as saying he would have used his machine guns but he could not get his armoured cars into the square!!!!!

His troops were Ghurkhas, not sure which battalion/regt. Wonder if he was involved or wether he turned up after? if he was there are a few books and some articles on the web about Dyer and the massacre. It was also covered i beleive by Attenborough in his film Ghandi.

regards

Arm.

Ps will look at my notes on this and see what regt was there and get back to ya.

[Matthew B.]

Rowland,

Thats sounds a very nice group - could you PM the exact details of the group please

As to your man:

Brigadier Frank McCallum

Looks like he was commioned into the Unattached List Indian Army in Jan 1919

He was awarded the Military Cross (LG 12/6/1923) for distinguished service withe the Waziristan Force serving with 1/9 G.R. with a very nice citation.

Promoted Captain 20th December 1924

Promoted Major 20th December 1936

Appointed a Staff Captain on the staff 6th Febuary 1937 until 15th December 1937

Awarded a military OBE for valuable services rendered in the field in connection with the operations in Waziristan 16th Sept to 15th Dec 1937 as Commander, Bannu Area

Mentioned in Despatches (LG 5/8/43) for Persia-Iraq, listed under Gurkha regiment as a T/Lt-Col

Mentioned in Despatches (LG 17/2/44) for Persia-Iraq, listed under Gurkha regiment as a T/Lt-Col

Promoted substantive Lt-Col 20th December 1946

Promoted Col 26th June 1947

Retired as a Colonel 30th May 1948, promoted Hon. Brigadier 26th June 1948

Brigadier General Staff at Northern command, India 1946-47

Director of Staff Duties at Army Headquarters, Pakistan 1947

Appointed Deputy Lieutenant for Lincolnshire 1965

Died at Westbrough Grange, Nottinghamshire 14th July 1983

Have not found the CIE but I think its right.

Hows that?

Matthew B.

[Terry_Reeves]

Some papers for BrigadierMcAllum can be found at the Centre for South Asian Studies at Cambridge University. An entry in your search engine will throw it up.

Terry Reeves