Private John O'Callaghan
The background of this North Irish Horseman is not known at present, other than that he was from Banteer, County Cork.
John O'Callaghan enlisted in the South Irish Horse between 4 December 1913 and 6 January 1914 (Regimental No.866). He embarked for France with B Squadron of the South Irish Horse on 17 August 1914, seeing action on the retreat from Mons and advance to the Aisne.
On 30 October 1917 O'Callaghan was transferred to the North Irish Horse (Regimental No.2700 – later Corps of Hussars No.71980), and posted to one of the squadrons of the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment. At the time, this regiment was serving as corps cavalry to V Corps, but in February-March 1918 it was dismounted and converted to a cyclist unit, remaining with V Corps as corps cyclists until the end of the war.
O'Callaghan remained with the regiment throughout this period. He was wounded between September and early November 1918 during the Advance to Victory offensive.
On 16 January 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.