The Australian Boer War Memorial
Anzac Parade Canberra

 
 
Lance Corporal James Campbell (Later Sergeant MM)

Ancestor Details

Ancestor's Name: James William Campbell

Ancestor's date of birth: 01/10/1876

Ancestor's date of death: 01/09/1930

Cause of Death: Tertiary malaria (blackwater fever) Kieta Hospital Bougainville.

Service and Life Before the Boer War: Born in Ballarat Victoria. Described as having the occupation "gentleman" and was living with his mother at Brighton VIC when he enlisted in the ACH in 1902.

Service Number: 410 (NSWIB), 2275 (4 ACH)

Colony or State of enlistment: NSW and VIC Place of Enlistment: Wagga and Melbourne

Unit: New South Wales Imperial Bushmen and 4th Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse

Rank attained in Boer War: LCPL, Date Effective: 11/02/1902

Highest Rank attained (if served after war): SGT, Date Effective: 16/08/1916

Murray Page: 94, 321

Contingent: Fourth New South Wales and Second Australian Commonwealth

Ship: Armenian, Date of Sailing: 24/04/1900

Ship: Templemore, Date of Sailing: 26/03/1902

Memorial details: Buried near Buka Bouganville PNG

Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Queen's South Africa Medal with Rhodesia, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902 clasps. British War Medal, Victory Medal Military Medal (MM).

Personal Characteristics: Height 170 cm, weight 77 kg, of fresh complexion with blue eyes and dark hair.

Reasons to go and fight: Detail not provided, possibly as a "gentleman"he thought he should do his bit for the empire.

Details of service in war: With the NSWIB served May 1900 - May 1901 in Rhodesia and west Transvaal including capture of de la Rey's convoy and guns at Wildfontein (24 March 1901). With the ACH he arrived in Durban 2 April 1902, encamped at Showgrounds until 24 April 1902, entrained for Newcastle Natal arrived 26 April 1902, encamped at Kitcheener's Kop. On 10 May to Wool's Bridge Buffalo River. On 13 May march for Volksrust Transvaal thence entrained for Elandsfontein arrived 16 May. On 1 June news was received of the peace conference. Returned shortly after to Australia.

Service and life after the Boer War: Became a plantation manager for Burns Philp and Co Ltd. Enlisted in the 3rd Light Horse AIF on 15 May 1916. Served in Palestine and was promoted sergent. Relinquished this rank, then transferred to the infantry (32 Bn) and sent to France. Married Amy Warburton on 23 July 1918 while on leave in the UK. Awarded the Military Medal: "During operations from 29 September to 1 October 1918 in the Bellicort Sector, Private Campbell displayed great gallantry and initiative. On 29 September he assisted to re-organise other troops who appeared to be leaderless, and then led his own section forward in the face of heavy machine gun fire. On the morning of 1 October immediately after the capture of Joncourt he mounted the Church Tower and observed and reported the enemy movements under heavy shell and machine gun fire. During the thee days he set a fine example of gallantry and devotion to duty." He and his brothers Alan and Norman served in WW1. His brothers also served and were each awarded a Military Cross. On his return he was awarded a soldiers settlement grant of 2 hectares near Buka on Bougainville where he and his wife Amy established a copra plantation.

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: John Matthew James Campbell, North Turramurra NSW

Relationship to Ancestor: Son

 


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RUSI of NSW Boer War Battlefields