Major General John Charles 'Jock' Campbell, VC, DSO & Bar, MC

Discussion in 'Higher Formations' started by dbf, Jul 14, 2017.

  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    From Illustrated London News 14 February 1942
    Illustrated London News 14 February 1942.jpg
     

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  2. dbf

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    Casualty Details
    CAMPBELL, JOHN CHARLES (JOCK)

    Rank: Major General
    Date of Death: 26/02/1942
    Age: 48
    Regiment/Service: General Staff Cdg. 7th Armd. Div. and Royal Artillery
    Awards: VC, DSO, MC
    Grave Reference: K. 171.
    Cemetery: CAIRO WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY
    Additional Information: Son of D. A. Campbell and Marion Campbell; husband of Rosamond E. Campbell, of Northampton.
     
  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    London Gazette, 30th of JANUARY, 1942
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35442/supplement/545/data.pdf

    War Office
    3rd February. 1942.
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to Brigadier (acting) John Charles Campbell, DSO , MC (13594), Royal Horse Artillery, in recognition of most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Sidi Rezegh on the 21st and 22nd November, 1941

    On the 21st November Brigadier Campbell was commanding the troops, including one regiment of tanks, in the area of Sidi Rezegh ridge and the aerodrome. HIs small force holding this important ground was repeatedly attacked by large numbers of tanks and infantry. Wherever the situation was most difficult and the fighting hardest he was to be seen with his forward troops, either on his feet or in his open car In this car he carried out several reconnaissances for counter-attacks by his tanks, whose senior officers had all become casualties early in the day. Standing in his car with a blue flag, this officer personally formed up tanks under close and intense fire from all natures of enemy weapons.

    On the following day the enemy attacks were intensified and again Brigadier Campbell was always in the forefront of the heaviest fighting, encouraging his troops, staging counter-attacks with his remaining tanks and personally controlling the fire of his guns On two occasions he himself manned a gun to replace casualties. During the final enemy attack on the 22nd November he was wounded, but continued most actively in the foremost positions, controlling the fire of batteries which inflicted heavy losses on enemy tanks at point blank range, and finally acted as loader to one of the guns himself.

    Throughout these two days his magnificent example and his utter disregard of personal danger were an inspiration to his men and to all who saw him. His brilliant leadership was the direct cause of the very heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy In spite of his wound he refused to be evacuated and remained with his command, where his outstanding bravery and consistent determination had a marked effect in maintaining the splendid fighting spirit of those under him.
     
    Last edited: May 22, 2019
  4. Trackfrower

    Trackfrower Member

    Unfortunatley, killed in a car crash, driven by Roy Farran.
    I believe the OC 7th Armd Div
    What if he had lived?

    Lawrence
     
  5. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    From Illustrated London News, 14 March 1942
    Illustrated London News 14 March 1942.jpg
     

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  6. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    From Illustrated London News 28 February 1942
    Illustrated London News 28 February 1942.jpg
     

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  7. dbf

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    Recommendation for Award for Campbell, John Charles Rank: Temporary Lieutenant... | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 373/17/32
    Description:
    Name Campbell, John Charles
    Rank: Temporary Lieutenant Colonel, Major
    Regiment: 4 Royal Horse Artillery
    Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
    Award: Distinguished Service Order
    Date of announcement in London Gazette: 01 April 1941

    Recommendation for Award for Campbell, John Charles Rank: Major Regiment: ... | The National Archives
    Reference: WO 373/17/69
    Description:
    Name Campbell, John Charles
    Rank: Major
    Regiment: 4 Royal Horse Artillery
    Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
    Award: Bar to Distinguished Service Order
    Date of announcement in London Gazette: 25 April 1941
     
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  8. BFBSM

    BFBSM Very Senior Member

    Citations:

    CAMPBELL, J.C.

    D.S.O. LG: I Apr. 1941 Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel), M.C. (13594), Royal Horse Artillery "in recognition of distinguished services in the Middle East, during the period August 1939 to November 1940" "During Aug-Sept '40 this officer commanded harassing parties of tanks and guns on jive occasions and inflicted considerable loss on the enemy. On 14-16 Sep, during the withdrawal .from BUQ BUQ to SIDI BARRAN! he commanded 16 guns of his Regt and despite difficult conditions and intense heat successfully controlled the fire and inflicted heavy loss on the enemy, showing great energy and endurance. Whenever in action he has set a splendid example of disregard for his own safety. "

    Bar to the D.S.O. LG: 25 Apr. 1941 Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel), D.S.O., M.C. (13594), Royal Horse Artillery "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East" "During the operations against the enemy lines of communication west of BARDIA on 14th Dec. 1940 Lt.-Col. CAMPBELL was temporarily combining the duties of 2nd in command of the 4th Armd Bde. and CR.A. It became necessary for certain urgent instructions regarding the Artillery programme to be given to the forward elements. Lt.-Col. CAMPBELL went forward with these instructions. In the performance of these duties, in an open truck he encountered no fewer than 17 bomber and 24 fighter attacks in the course of the day. These included several severe attacks on the guns causing casualties but his immediate presence was a source of encouragement and inspiration, and his example contributed largely to the cool and steady manner in which these attacks were met and dealt with. Lt.-Col. CAMPBELL showed throughout the day a complete disregard of his personal safety. His devotion to duty and gallant conduct was an example of the highest order. " John Charles "Jock" CAMPBELL. Born in Thurso, Caithness, Scotland, 10 Jan 1894; Son of D.A. and Marion Campbell; Husband of Rosamond E. Campbell of Northampton; Educ: RM.A. Woolwich; 2Lt., Royal Field Artillery, 28 Jul. 1915; a/Lt. whilst Adjt., RF.A., 10 Feb. 1917; Lt., I Jul. 1917; a/Capt., I Jul. 1917-24 Jun. 1919; Served WWI (M.C. LG: 3 Jun. 1919 Lt. (A/Capt.), "U" Bty., 16th Army Bde., RH.A. "for distinguished service in connection with Military Operations in France and Flanders. Dated 3rd June 1919:"); Instr., Rid. Estabt., Woolwich, I Nov. 1926-19 Jun. 1927; Capt., 25 May 1927; Instr., Equitn. Sch., 19 Jun. 1927-19 Jun. 1930; Bt. Maj., I Jul. 1932; Adjt., 21 Jan. 1934-11 Aug. 1936; Maj., 16 Nov. 1936; temp. Lt.-Col.; Cmdr., 7th Sp. Gp., N. Africa, 1941-1942 (D.S.O. and M.I.D. LG: I Apr. 1941); Recommended for the D.S.O. by Brig. W.H.E. Gott (q.v.), Cmdr. 7th Sp. Gp., 12 Nov. 1940; a/Brig.; Cmdr., Sp. Gp., Western Desert Force, N. Africa, 1941-1942 (Bar to D.S.O. and M.I.D. LG: 30 Dec. 1941); Recommended for the D.S.O. by Lt.-Gen. R.N. O'Connor, GOC-in-C Brit. Tps. in Egypt., 9 Jan. 1941; Awarded an immediate Bar to D.S.O.; a/Maj.-Gen., Sep. 1941; GOC, 7th Armd. Div., Sep. 1941-Feb. 1942; Served in N. Africa (V.C. LG: 3 Feb. 1942 Brigadier (acting), D.S.O., M.C. (13594) Royal Horse Artillery "in recognition of most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Sidi Rezegh on the 21st and 22nd November 1941. On the 21st November Brigadier Campbell was commanding the troops, including one regiment of tanks, in the area of Sidi Rezegh ridge and the aerodrome His small force holding this important ground was repeatedly attacked by large numbers of tanks and infantry. Wherever the situation was most difficult and the fighting hardest he was to be seen with his forward troops, either on his feet or in his open car. In this car he carried out several reconnaissances for counter-attacks by his tanks, whose senior officers had all become casualties early in the day. Standing in his car with a blue flag, this officer personally formed up tanks under close and intense fire from all natures of enemy weapons. On the following day the enemy attacks were intensified and again Brigadier Campbell was always in the forefront of the heaviest fighting, encouraging his troops, staging counter-attacks with his remaining tanks and personally controlling the fire of his guns. On two occasions he himself manned a gun to replace casualties. During the final enemy attack on the 22nd November he was wounded, but continued most actively in the fore-most positions, controlling the fire of batteries which inflicted heavy losses on enemy tanks at point blank range, and finally acted as loader to one of the guns himself. Throughout these two days his magnificent example and his utter disregard of personal danger were an inspiration to his men and to all who saw him. His brilliant leadership was the direct cause of the very heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy. In spite of his wound he refused to be evacuated and remained with his command, where his outstanding bravery and consistent determination had a marked effect in maintaining the splendid fighting spirit of those under him.";
    Died in a car accident (driven by Capt. R Farran (q.v.)), Libya, 26 Feb. 1942; Age 47; Buried in the Cairo War Cemetery, Egypt K.171; His VC is publicly displayed at the Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich, England.

    Medals; V.C.; D.S.O. and Bar; M.C.; 1914 -15 Star; British War and Victory Medals with M.I.D.; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star with "8th Army" clasp; Defence and War Medals with M.I.D.; King George VI Coronation Medal.
     
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  9. harkness

    harkness Well-Known Member

    1911 Census - Ghylas, Sedbergh, West Yorkshire

    Daniel Alexander Campbell - 53 - East India Merchant (Retired) - b.Thurso, Caithness
    Marion Campbell - 47 - b.Thurso, Caithness
    John Charles Campbell - 17 - b.Thurso, Caithness
    Robert William Campbell - 57 - Merchant - b.Thurso, Caithness
    Ellen Ross - 24 - Servant - b.Lybster, Caithness
    Charlotte Anderson - 22 - Servant - b.Ollaberry, Shetland

    Campbell02.jpg
     
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