Charles Reginald McCallum was born on 24 July 1907 in Foster, Victoria. Charlie was from a farming family. His parents were Peter and Alice McCallum. The family property was in Tarra Valley via Yarram in South Gippsland. By the time he reached adulthood he weighed 80 kilograms and had become a champion woodchopper, winning many competitions in the district.

While working at the Shrine of Remembrance, Charlie's medal group was placed on display. I had the chance to speak to his niece who told me that Charlie had the nickname of Silent when he was growing up, owing to the fact that he was a man of few words. He also rode a bicycle everywhere and carried his prized woodchopping axe, which he hid somewhere on the family farm before he went off to war. The axe has never been found.

Charlie's niece also recalled the story that just as the war was beginning everyone was on edge. Blackouts became common practice and people where being extra vigilant. The story goes that one night the local policeman received a report that someone was signaling from a hill overlooking the town. The policeman is said to have approached a small wooden shed located on top of said hill. When the policeman approached he could see a light flickering and when he went inside the walls were covered in blood. It turned out it was Charlie skinning wallabies and rabbits, the signaling was him walking back and forth in front of the hurricane lantern.

Charlie enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 16 May 1940. He enlisted as a single man and gave his religion as Presbyterian. His service record indicates he had blue eyes and black hair.
At the time of volunteering for the AIF he was 32 and currently serving in the 22nd Militia Battalion.

As one of the original 2/14 members, Charlie went to the Middle East, originally in the Carrier Platoon, he sailed to Egypt and then to duty in Palestine where he transferred to B Company before going into action against the Vichy French in Syria during June and July 1941. This followed Garrison duties in Lebanon before the 2/14th was withdrawn to Australia in early 1942 as Australian forces were concentrated in the Pacific to respond to the threat posed by Japan's entry into the war.

On 29 August 1942 the Victorian 2/14th Infantry Battalion was engaged in heavy fighting with the Japanese at Isurava on the Kokoda track. As the weight of enemy soldiers became too heavy, 12 platoon, B Company was forced to withdraw.

At this desperate time the wounded Corporal Charlie McCallum proved his extraordinary valour by singlehandedly holding off the advancing enemy, allowing his comrades to withdraw in good order to safety. McCallum coolly stood his ground with a Bren gun in his right hand and a Thompson sub-machine gun in his left, as scores of Japanese closed in on his position.

At all times in action, McCallum was admirably calm and steady. On this occasion his utter disregard for his own safety and his example of devotion to duty and magnificent courage was an inspiration to all our troops in the area. His gallant stand and the number of casualties he alone inflicted checked the enemy’s advance and allowed the withdrawal to proceed unhindered and without loss.

Charles McCallum’s Citation

McCallum’s foes came so close to him in the encounter that one was able to wrench a piece of equipment from his utility belt. When he himself withdrew from the fray, his comrades counted the bodies of 40 Japanese soldiers.

McCallum was recommended for the Victoria Cross by his superiors but received the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) instead.

McCallum survived Isurava but his days were numbered. Charlie McCallum was killed in action a week later on 8 September at Brigade Hill. He was an only son and his mother proudly carried his medal in her handbag for the rest of her life.

View Charlie's service record here

Written by David Howell & Neil Sharkey