| Gordon Campbell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 January 1886 Croydon, Surrey |
| Died | 3 July 1953 Isleworth, Middlesex |
| Buried at | All Saints Churchyard, Crondall |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1900 - 1929 |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands held | HMS Farnborough (Q.5) HMS Dunraven HMS Tiger |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Distinguished Service Order & Two Bars Croix de Guerre (France) Légion d'honneur |
| Relations | Sir Edward Campbell, 1st Baronet (brother) Brigadier Lorne MacLaine Campbell VC (nephew) |
| Other work | Member of Parliament Writer |
Vice Admiral Gordon Campbell VC, DSO & Two Bars (6 January 1886 – 3 July 1953) was an English naval officer, later a writer and politician, who was a 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. He was also awarded the Croix de Guerre and appointed a chevalier of the Légion d'honneur.[1]
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Born on 6 July 1886, he was educated at Dulwich College, which he attended between 1898 and 1900. He then joined the Royal Navy. In 1917, by the age of 31, he had reached the rank of Commander during First World War when the act for which he was awarded the VC took place. On 17 February 1917 in the north Atlantic, Commander Campbell, commanding HMS Farnborough (Q.5) (one of the "mystery" Q ships) sighted a torpedo track. He altered course and allowed the torpedo to hit Q.5 aft by the engine-room bulkhead. The 'Panic party' got away convincingly, followed by the U-boat. When the submarine had fully surfaced and was within 100 yards of Q.5—badly damaged and now lying very low in the water—the commander gave the order to fire. Almost all of the 45 shells fired hit the U-boat which sank. Q.5 was taken in tow just in time and was safely beached. On 22 March 1916, another U-boat, SM U-68 was sunk by Farnborough.
Campbell also commanded HMS Dunraven during the action of 8 August 1917 when she was sunk by SM UC-71.[2] Victoria Crosses were awarded to two crewmen who were selected by ballot from amongst the crew of Dunraven, Lieutenant Charles George Bonner and Petty Officer Ernest Herbert Pitcher.
Campbell later achieved the rank of Vice Admiral. He commanded the battlecruiser HMS Tiger 1925-27 and served as Naval Aide-de-Camp to George V 1928-29. In 1931, he was elected as National Member of Parliament for Burnley, defeating the Labour leader, Arthur Henderson. In 1935, however, standing as a National Liberal, he lost his seat.
Campbell wrote several publications, including the successful My Mystery Ships. His brother, Sir Edward Campbell, was also a Member of Parliament.
His Victoria Cross is held at his old school, Dulwich College.
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Arthur Henderson |
Member of Parliament for Burnley 1931–1935 |
Succeeded by Wilfrid Burke |