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Unique named WW1 casualty.
Captain Norman Phillips Campbell, 189th Company, Special
Brigade Royal Engineers.
Killed in Action, Pelves Lane, Arras 3rd May 1917
Commemorated Arras Memorial |
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CAMPBELL, Capt. Norman Phillips. born April
25, 1886; son of James Buchanan Campbell, of Montreal. Educated
Dulwich Coll. (Sch.); Balliol 1904-8 (H.B.H.); Brackenbury Nat.
Sci. Sch.; 1st Nat. Sci. 1907; B.A. 1908. Church Missionary
Society 1908, Science Master at Trinity Coll., Kandy, Ceylon;
enlisted Jan. 1915 in London Scottish; 2nd Lt., 7th Oxford and
Bucks. Light Infantry; volunteered for special chemical warfare
company R.E. April 1915; wounded in first gas attack at Battle
of Loos; Capt.; in charge of gas attack unit 3rd Army, June
1916. m. 1913, Lettice, d. of Joseph Armitage, M.D.: two sons.
Killed at Pelves Lane, nr. Arras, while examining the effect of
a projector attack, May 3, 1917. (From the Balliol
College Register 1833-1933) |
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N.P. Campell. Scientist, Missionary, Soldier.
Campbell's wife Lettice wrote a book about Norman which details his
entire life. It also reproduces correspondence from other
officers and men regarding Norman.
Commanding officer, Lt Col. Sidney Waterfield
Bunker:
" I am writing to express to you, on behalf of myself
and my brother Officers, our heartfelt and sincere sympathy on
the death of your husband, Capt. N. P. Campbell, who was killed
in action on the 3rd May.
In him we have lost a capable and energetic Officer, whose
tireless devotion to duty and self-effacing enthusiasm in his
work won admiration from all with whom he came in contact. He
had conducted with the ability and success that characterised
all the operations under his control, a most successful attack
on the enemy during the night, 1st and 2nd May, in which, we
have since learned, very heavy casualties were inflicted on the
enemy. Later, after the ground had partially passed into our
possession, he was, in company with his junior officers,
inspecting the target for evidence of his projectiles. While
doing this a bullet from a German machine gun hit him in the
neck, causing instantaneous death. The Officer with him, Lieut.
Lockhart, remained with his body for three hours under hostile
fire, after which he was forced to abandon it. A counter-attack
by the enemy has rendered the spot where he lies inaccessible,
but you may rest assured that as soon as the ground is again in
our hands, which seems likely in the near future, he will be
brought back and cared for.
During this year's arduous operations he has been uniformly
successful, and it is only two or three weeks since I had
occasion to recommend him for a decoration, as a reward for his
conspicuous ability. His work was characterised by the manner in
which he never spared himself, and his personal example was,
therefore, the greatest factor in his success.
Convinced as one is of the utter repugnance every fibre of
his nature must have had for the horror and misery of war, and
feeling as one does that there can have been no aspect of this
dreadful work that was not utterly distasteful to him, yet we
realise that he carried out all his duties with all the
concentration of thought and force of action of which he was
capable, because he saw that by that means, and that only, could
the end be reached.
Apart from his sterling qualities, his cheery good nature and
obvious sincerity gained for him a well-deserved popularity
among his men, his brother Officers, and all those with whom he
worked.
His death occasions us not only the loss of a valuable Officer, but to
me, personally, it means the breaking of a great friendship. |
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'Mr Lockhart' wrote:
As you will know, we made a very big attack on the 3rd
instant, and the Captain had been forward to our advanced
positions in the forenoon. When he returned in the afternoon he
reported all clear and decided to take four of us forward with
him on reconnaisance. We set out about four o'clock, and on
reaching our advanced posts we broke up our party, and went
forward in twos at intervals of about 400 yards. The Captain and
myself went first.
Unfortunately, unknown to us, the enemy had counter-attacked and pushed
forward early in the afternoon, and was in possession of most of
the ground over which we wished to work. The consequence was
that within ten minutes or so of our advancing, we came under
intense machine gun and rifle fire. Our leader was not the
slightest bit perturbed, and assured me that everything was all
right. He was devoted to duty always, and so cool, collected and
fearless that it was almost impossible to feel nervous in his
presence. He was always so complete a master of any situation
that I was thoroughly contented to follow him, and I must
confess I did not realise the danger we were in until he was
shot down by my side.
A burst of machine gun bullets passed right over my head, one of which
entered the Captain's shoulder ; it must have penetrated to
something vital, for he died instantaneously. How I escaped
myself I do not know. Fortunately, the other officers, realising
the danger into which we had run, remained behind in safety and
came along at dusk to find out what had happened. As the machine
guns swept the area incessantly, I was forced to lie prone with
the Captain for three hours until darkness fell, and then laid
his body in a shell hole, where it is quite sheltered.
I cannot tell you how we miss our dear O.C. The news of his death came as
a great shock to the whole company, and the men have been
writing of him in their letters home, expressing their deep
admiration and respect for him. Captain Campbell was universally
recognised as one of the most capable commanders in the Special
Brigade, and as one of the bravest and noblest soldiers in the
Army.
I am convinced that his place in this company will never be filled, and I
know that my colleagues share the same opinion. He is a great
loss not only to our Company and our Brigade, but to the nation
; his abilities were so great and his energy almost superhuman.
He was a living example to all of what a true Christian should
be, and his refined and noble character left its mark on
everybody with whom he came in contact. Captain Campbell was
very deeply respected by all.
Personally, I had become deeply attached to him, and in him I have lost
one of my best friends out here. In my gloomy moods he never
failed to cheer and inspire me. He had such a marvellous
influence for good in every direction. Where he won the hearts
of men most of all was in his willingness at all times to do the
lion's share of work and to be present in person in all moments
of danger, to inspire all with courage and calm. He never
flinched from responsibility, and in all operations he carried
the difficulties on his own broad shoulders. Without him on many
occasions we should have been lost, and now that he has gone we
miss him very much." |
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His Orderly Room Clerk:
" An extract from Battalion orders No. 217, dated 21st
September, 1916, is worded thus : ' Captain N. P. Campbell to
command " O " Company with effect from 21-9-16,' and thus I made
the acquaintance of a man of the most extraordinary character in
all my experience, so kind, so uncannily thoughtful, so heedful
of the wants of others. How keen he was to sign an order for
some quinine when I had influenza, how anxious that I should
take walks, when not feeling very fit. One felt there was no
limit to powers of endurance working for him to whom self was of
such little importance.
His kindness of heart manifested itself in a hundred little ways.
The daily task was always lightened by chats on almost
everything—life in Australia, where I had been for some time, or
the merits of sundry makes of tobacco, or topics equally
divergent. Army issue tobacco he did not take kindly to, except
a mixture of Bear & Sons, which appeared at infrequent
intervals. It was sheer pleasure to obtain the brand for him, if
only to be rewarded by that wonderful smile of his.
A soldier in everything he did, a remark so freely used, but a
description literally true of him. He would brook no familiarity
or interference and exacted complete discipline from his
military inferiors always, yet no one was more generous in his
praise of work well done. He instilled respect into people whom
he met by his own self-discipline. He always bore the brunt of
the burden, he never shirked, demanding nothing of anyone which
he himself was not prepared to undertake.
Through the winter, seated on a sugar box and wrapt in his greatcoat, he
would work long after he had allowed me to turn in, and then up
betimes whatever the weather, always ready for another day's
work, as though he had just returned from a holiday. He gripped
and held my humble admiration from the commencement." |
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