Dear DG (2nd Cousin)
There are a few clusters of the surname around the country... [there are indeed, in fact the Shropshire family are actually strongly connected with the Warwickshire family... i.e., the usual proginity laws given the the eldest son the inheritence with the younger sons having to make their own fortune i.e., they moved to Birmingham. I'm closely related to both branches (Bridgnorth & Aston). The girls of course just had to get married]. The shopkeepers, grocer, hatter, gents outfitters & licensed houses were all owned/operated by the Callant family [but this wealth was steadily disipated to other family names via marriage]. These can be traced back to 1749, but I can't find them moving out of their own area [they are still there until at least 1900 and some today...]. They were rather well off so didn't need to move to find work [killed during WW1 and one or two emigrated to the USA and SA)] . I know this because of references to them hunting, leaving a will etc. Yes, the successful The vast majority of the inhabitants of Aston did not have this lifestyle - in fact they still don't [That was my outcome, being an Aston Callant, I was (like the Irish), obliged to emigrate. The London Callants are quite distinctly separate and despite a lot of effort I 've not been able to demonstrate any link whatsoever. Given that the Callants origins cease circa 1749 or there abouts, I can only assume that they originated from the Scottish events assocociated with the 'Clearings' or they sided with the English during the Scottish Wars and were obliged to join the enemy... i.e., a good survival strategy in war time, particularly if you lived in the Border counties].
If you are researching your Grandfather I would suggest some caution as they also had a George Leslie Callant born 1890 -1970 It would be very easy to confuse his life events with your ancestor 1900-1974 (You may think he married twice for example or ascribe children to the wrong George). [Thanks for the tip, but while I've demonstrated outrageous theories regarding John & Uncle Frank, the other Callants have been quite easy to tie down with real evidence. The commonality of the name: George, Lesilie and William requires some diligence but the fact that my G'father is personally known to me, made this task easier].
Albert Edward Callant lived with Ernie for a while and shows up on the 1911 census as living and working alongside him aged 15. He was killed in WW1. When I looked on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site he is listed as having been killed 25/01/1915 age 19. I was always told Ernie had a brother killed aged 19 in the Great War. There is also reference to William George Callant killed 08/03/1915. His memorial is at Ypres, which is probably where he fell [I can confirm that William George & Albert Edward were first cousins and I can understand why they signed up.... i.e., either to escape poverty, or seek advanture, since both did not enjoy the 'rich lifestyle of the other Callants]. Looking further I discovered that his next of kin was named as 'Polly' Callant. Polly is a nickname for Mary [I didn't know that]. Polly Callant also appears on the 1911 census with George Leslie aged 10 where she claims her age is 28 [I'll have to check that out]. This WE, I will delete the third (fake) John Callant Family that I postulated about above, and will key in William Francis Callant's death details... this will link me to your site and you'll be able to access my side of the Callant family tree. Kind regards... Corrosionist