CAMPBELL, John Thomas
| Service Number: | 2323 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Trooper |
| Last Unit: | 7th Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Greenwell Point, New South Wales, Australia, December 1897 |
| Home Town: | Nowra, Shoalhaven Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Sleeper hewer |
| Died: | Killed in action, Palestine, 9 November 1917 |
| Cemetery: |
Gaza War Cemetery, Israel and Palestine (including Gaza) Plot XVIII, Row F, Grave No. 10. IN MEMORY OF THE DEARLY LOVED SON OF MR. & MRS. CAMPBELL OF NOWRA |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Nowra - All Saints War Memorial Lych Gate, Nowra Soldiers Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2323, 7th Light Horse Regiment | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Apr 1916: | Involvement Private, 2323, 7th Light Horse Regiment, Third Ypres, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Palermo embarkation_ship_number: A56 public_note: '' | |
| 18 Apr 1916: | Embarked Private, 2323, 7th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Palermo, Sydney | |
| 9 Nov 1917: | Involvement Trooper, 2323, 7th Light Horse Regiment, Third Ypres, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 2323 awm_unit: 7th Australian Light Horse Regiment awm_rank: Trooper awm_died_date: 1917-11-09 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
John Thomas Campbell was the son of George and Sarah Ann Campbell, of Nowra, New South Wales. He was very young when he enlisted and still under 20 years of age when he died.
His older brother, 3364 Pte. Harry William Campbell 54th Battalion AIF, was later killed in action near Aubigney, France, on 24 April 1918, aged 23.
John joined the 7th Light Regiment during August 1916 and served with them for over 12 months in Egypt and Palestine. He was killed in action about 30 kilometres from Gaza. A mate wrote to his mother about his death and it was printed in the Nowra Leader during March 1918, under the heading, 'The Late Trooper Campbell.'
Mrs. Geo. Campbell, of Nowra, is in receipt of the following letter from an Officer at the front: -To Mrs. Campbell, I hope you will understand the reason that prompts me to write you this letter. I was your son's Troop Leader, so am able to give you all particulars of your gallant son’s death and the site of his grave. My deep-felt sympathy goes out to you at the loss of such a promising son. And I would like you to know that your son’s sacrifice for his Country is appreciated by us all over here. Although he was only a boy he had a good character and was well liked by all in the troops, being one of the most popular boys in it. His loss is felt by us all for we all miss his bright and cheerful presence.
He was No. 2 on my troop Hotchkiss Gun and on the 9th Nov., we had been pushing the Turkish Rear Guard all day, but towards evening we had a heavy engagement with them at a village called Ibdis and it was in this engagement, whilst assisting to gut the gun into action, that your son received a fatal wound through the neck, and passed away in a few minutes. The next day we buried him with two other lads who were killed in the same engagement. Facing the graves, your son lies on the right, and Corporal Parker in the centre, and Trooper Poidevin on the left. A few days ago, accompanied by four of your son’s closest friends, I rode over to Ibdis to locate the grave and give it proper attention as a small token of esteem to one whom we shall always remember.
The exact site of the grave is on flat country a mile north east of the village of Ibdis and three quarters of a mile south east from the village of Es-Sawafir el-Gharbiya. We are having crosses made and hope to have them erected in a few days. Your son's personal effects at the Base will be forwarded to you by the Authorities, but that which he had with him out here has been posted to you by his friends in the troop. I personally held your son in very high esteem; not only for his bright disposition and good character, but also for his splendid qualities as a soldier for he was gallant, fearless and reliable. If there is any further particulars you should wish to know I shall be very pleased to present you with them. Again, I offer my deepest sympathy to you in your grief, and trust that the burden of your sorrow may soon turn Io sweet remembrance. -I am, yours sincerely,
L.W. Spencer, A Sqdn, 7th L.H. Reg.
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