John Charles Campbell
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| John Charles Campbell | |
|---|---|
| 10th January 1894 - 26th February 1942 | |
| Nickname | Jock |
| Place of birth | Thurso, Scotland |
| Place of death | Killed in Action - North Africa |
| Allegiance | Great Britain |
| Rank | Major-General |
| Unit | Royal Horse Artillery |
| Commands | 7th Armoured Division |
| Awards | VC |
John Charles Campbell VC, DSO & Bar, MC (10 January 1894 - 26 February 1942) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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[edit] Details
Born in Thurso, he was 47 years old, and an acting brigadier in the Royal Horse Artillery, British Army, Commander 7th Armoured Division during the Second World War.
For the following action, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. On 21 November 1941 at Sidi Rezegh, Libya, Brigadier Campbell's small force holding important ground was repeatedly attacked and wherever the fighting was hardest he was to be seen either on foot or in his open car. Next day, under intensified enemy attacks, he was again in the forefront, encouraging his troops and personally controlling the fire of his batteries - he twice manned a gun himself to replace casualties. During the final attack, although wounded, he refused to be evacuated. His brilliant leadership was the direct cause of the very heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy, and did much to maintain the fighting spirit of his men.
Brigadier Campbell was promoted to major general and given command of 7th Armoured Division in February 1942, but he and his driver were killed three weeks later when their jeep overturned on soft sand. A memorial to him stands in his old school, Sedbergh, commemorating his brave deeds.
During the Western Desert Campaign Campbell was considered to be one of foremost commanders in the Eighth Army, an old desert hand who had been in North Africa from the start of the war. He was creator of the Jock columns, mobile columns used for patrols and to harass the Italians. His loss was deeply felt by the soldiers of the Eighth Army.
[edit] Further information
There is a seaside walk in his home town named the "Victoria Walk" in his honour.
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich, England.
[edit] References
- British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
[edit] External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (Gloucestershire)
This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.
