Citation(s);
Military service
Burial/memorial information
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Fergus McCallum of St. Eugene, Quebec. Husband of Hazel J. (nee Robertson) McCallum, of Montreal, Quebec.
The province of Manitoba honoured Major McCallum by naming Lake McCallum in his honour.
Distinguished Service Order, awarded as per Canada Gazette dated 4 November 1944 'During the night 18-19 July 1944, 2 Canadian Corps made an assault crossing of the River Orne. This operation was one of the most important of the entire campaign, and its failure would have had a serious effect on the whole operation in Normandy. As part of the Corps plan, 31 Canadian Field Company, the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers, had the task of constructing a bridge over the River Orne at Caen to allow the passage of the so necessary supporting arms. Failure, therefore, to complete construction of this bridge would have had serious effects on the army plan. Major McCallum was in command of this operation and though harassed by mortar and sniper fire, and by enemy planes, carried on with the task and brought it to a very successful conclusion. His courage, leadership and ability were of the highest order and undoubtedly contributed largely to the success of the operation.' British War Medal and Victory Medal
Digital gallery of Major Douglas Harvey McCallum
Digital gallery of
Major Douglas Harvey McCallum
Digital gallery of
Major Douglas Harvey McCallum
Digital gallery of
Major Douglas Harvey McCallum
Digital gallery of
Major Douglas Harvey McCallum
Digital gallery of
Major Douglas Harvey McCallum
Digital gallery of
Major Douglas Harvey McCallum
Digital gallery of
Major Douglas Harvey McCallum
Digital gallery of
Major Douglas Harvey McCallum
Digital gallery of
Major Douglas Harvey McCallum
Digital gallery of
Major Douglas Harvey McCallum
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In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 382 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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BRETTEVILLE-SUR-LAIZE CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY Calvados, France
This cemetery lies on the west side of the main road from Caen to Falaise (route N158) and just north of the village of Cintheaux. Bretteville-sur-Laize is a village and commune in the department of the Calvados, some 16 kilometres south of Caen. The village of Bretteville lies 3 kilometres south-west of the Cemetery. Buried here are those who died during the later stages of the battle of Normandy, the capture of Caen and the thrust southwards (led initially by the 4th Canadian and 1st Polish Armoured Divisions), to close the Falaise Gap, and thus seal off the German divisions fighting desperately to escape being trapped west of the Seine. Almost every unit of Canadian 2nd Corps is represented in the Cemetery. There are about 3,000 allied forces casualties of the Second World War commemorated in this site.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
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