13500 2/Lt. Alexander Fraser CAMPBELL, GC, 9 Bomb Disposal Company, Royal Engineers: 18/10/1940

Remembering Today

Casualty Details | CWGC
CAMPBELL, ALEXANDER FRASER
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Service No: 135004
Date of Death: 18/10/1940
Age: 42
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers, 9 Bomb Disposal Coy.
Awards: G C
Grave Reference: Square 348. Coll. grave 46.
Cemetery: COVENTRY (LONDON ROAD) CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of Archibald and Mary Campbell, of Dalmellington, Ayrshire; husband of Agnes Sharp Campbell, of Dalmellington. M.I.Mar.E.

Citation:
The following details are given in the London Gazette of 22nd January, 1941: The King has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the George Cross, for most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner, to 2nd Lieutenant A. F. Campbell, R.E. (since deceased). Second Lieutenant Campbell was was called upon to deal with an unexploded bomb in the Triumph Engineering Company's works in Coventry. This bomb had halted war production in two factories involving over 1,000 workers and evacuation of local residents. He found it to be fitted with a delayed action fuse which was impossible to remove. He decided to remove the bomb to a safe place. This was done by lorry with Second Lieutenant Campbell lying alongside the bomb to enable him to hear if it started ticking so he could warn the driver to escape. Having got it to a safe place he successfully disposed of it. Unfortunately, he was killed the next day whilst dealing with another unexploded bomb.

 

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=59788309&PIpi=51814147

 

Triumph Engineering Works unexploded bomb
On the 14 October 1940 at Chapel Street, Coventry, 2nd Lt. Campbell along with Sergeant Michael Gibson and Sappers W. Gibson, R. Gilchrest, A. Plumb, R.W. Skelton and Driver E.F.G. Taylor were tasked to deal with a 250 kilograms (550 lb) unexploded bomb.
The sappers spent almost four days uncovering the bomb which was found to contain a very damaged delayed-action fuse mechanism which could not be removed in situ. Though any electrical charge within the fuse was thought to have dissipated, Campbell still applied a discharge tool.
On the 17 October 1940, Campbell, believing the bomb to be inert ordered it to be moved. It was loaded onto a lorry and taken to Whitley Common where it could be detonated safely. Campbell positioned himself next to the bomb on this journey listening for any timer mechanism that might have been activated by the bomb's removal. The bomb was remotely detonated.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Campbell_%28GC%29#mediaviewer/File:Alexander_Fraser_Campbell.jpg

 

Michael Gibson GC mentioned in CL1`s Second Lieutenant Campbell narrative above .Formerly of the Durham Light Infantry transferred to the RE.
On 14 September 1940 a large unexploded bomb fell in an important factory. Excavation supervised by Sergeant Gibson was begun, during which time another bomb which had dropped nearby exploded. Despite the knowledge that the bomb on which he was engaged was of a similar type the N.C.O persevered and eventually the bomb was uncovered. On uncovering it an unusual hissing noise was heard coming from the bomb, whereupon Sergeant Gibson sent his men away and immediately set to work on the fuse. This he extracted safely and the bomb was eventually removed. His prompt and courageous action saved a very dangerous situation.

On 18 October 1940, Gibson was one of seven bomb disposal men that had recovered a 250 kilograms (550 lb) bomb from a Coventry housing estate. The still active bomb was transported via lorry to be defused at Whitley Common. The bomb exploded during unloading from the lorry, killing all of the men.
Following a funeral service at Coventry Cathedral on 25 October 1940, the squad were buried in a collective grave in Coventry's London Road Cemetery. The squad comprised Second Lieutenant Alexander Fraser Campbell and Sappers William Gibson, Richard Gilchrest, Jack Plumb, Ronald William Skelton, Ernest Arthur Stote and Gibson. Gibson was 34 when he was killed.

Kyle