Husband Lillian Emma Robinson, they married 2 July 1907.

While en route to South Africa Private Callaway, a Maori, composed the New Zealanders' War Cry, "Kia, Kaha, Nui Tireni. Whaiwhai maiea mo ti kuinui, to Kaianga. Ake!Ake!Ake!".

Author of the Maori Battle Cry "Splendid scout"

Calloway was an excellent scout and rode with many despatches at night through the bush veldt. He departed South Africa aboard the S.S. 'Harleck Castle'. In New Zealand joined the 24 Company, 7 NZMR as Sergeant-Major. (Stowers, p.158)

'He was mentioned by Kitchener in his despatches, "for rescuing mounted men under heavy fire at Witkop." Apparently the 7 NZMR had orders to fire on Boers but Calloway believed then to be Queenslanders and took his squadron to the rescue.' (Stowers, p.158)

Calloway was wounded at Vereeniging, in July 1901, while rescuing a comrade under fire he received a punctured liver and a wounded lung. He returned to New Zealand for a second time and joined the 9 NZMR, returning to South Africa as Lieutenant. (Stowers, p.158)

Calloway returned to the Coromandel after the war and received the Imperial Life Pension. He died in 1926 after many years of ill health brought about by the wounds he received during the war.

'The Veteran' (the official publication of the South African War Veteran's Association of New Zealand), volume No.46, May 1971, which lists the honours and awards to New Zealand Contingents in South Africa, Sergeant-Major W. J. Calloway is listed as receiving the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). This has also been mentioned in articles in 1st NZMR Association bulletins. (Stowers, p.158)

Known as Walter.

Headstone transcription: there is no death and love can never lose its own.

Boer War display in Auckland Museum "Kia Kaha Niu Tireni" (a reproduction of battle cry) and a photo of J.W. Callaway in feather cloak holding a mere.

His story was also told in an exhibition at the old Courthouse, Coromandel Town and will then be displayed in the Biran Boru Hotel building in Thames. AWMM