Distinguished Conduct Medal : Corporal P C Callahan, 6 Battalion, AIF

Distinguished Conduct Medal (Geo V). Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

1919 Sergeant (later Lieutenant ) Patrick Celestine Callahan was born in Victoria in 1892. He was a railway employee when he enlisted from Geelong, at the age of 22, on 2 March 1915. He was allocated to the 5th Reinforcements of 6 Battalion, AIF. Callahan served on Gallipoli, in Egypt, France and Belgium. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, as a corporal, in Belgium during the Third Battle of Ypres. The recommendation for the award reads,'During the operations east of YPRES at the BROODSEINDE RIDGE on 4th October, 1917, this N.C.O. showed great dash and gallantry in the attck on a crater on the Ridge. He gallantly led his Section forward and in the face of strong resistance, he first showered the post with bombs, and then rushed it and captured 17 prisoners.' Callahan was promoted to sergeant shortly afterwards and was awarded the Military Medal on 26 October 1917, also east of Ypres. He returned to Australia on 23 September 1919. Callahan enlisted again during the Second World War, serving as a lieutenant with the number V17633. He served with 12 Garrison Battalion between July 1941 and April 1944.