McCallum Lake

McCallum Lake is named in memory of Major Douglas Harvey McCallum, DSO, RCE.

Douglas Harvey McCallum was born on 21 October 1909 in Carberry, Manitoba. He was commissioned in the Militia as a 2nd Lieutenant with the Royal Canadian Engineers (N.P.A.M.) in December 1937. On 6 September 1939 he joined the Canadian Active Service Force and a few months later, was sent to England. In August 1940 he was promoted to Captain and in May 1943 was promoted to Major and appointed Commanding Officer of 31 Field Company, RCE. He was part of 21 Army Group that landed in France on 9 July 1944 and very quickly saw action at the River Orne crossing for which he received his DSO (see citation below). He was killed in action on 25 July 1944 by enemy mortar fire and is buried at the Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery.

Citation: London Gazette 21 December 1944, Canada Gazette, 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 and ability were of the highest order and undoubtedly contributed to the success of the operation.”

On Maps: McCallum Lake