Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Raid on Celtic Wood

 1920 Private Gerald Gordon Campion a farm labourer from Curramulka, South Australia was in the field with D Company on the day of the raid. Recorded on 13 October Field Return as’ Wounded’ on 8 October 1917. He was treated at 3rd Field Ambulance with shrapnel wounds to his eyes as well as a fractured right forearm then transported to 10th Casualty Clearing Station where he died on 10 October.

There are a number of interesting statements in Campion’s Red Cross File but the two D Company stretcher- bearers who have proven to be reliable witnesses in a number of other statements quoted herein agree on all aspects of this incident except the date.

When interviewed in March 1918, Private Bethmont said, ‘There were 2 brothers Campion, one was Missing about 5 a.m. in the raid in front of Passchendaele, the other whom I take to be G.C. Campion was wounded about 7 p.m. by shell, which wounded him between the eyes, broke his arm and his neck was injured. I saw the casualty happen, being about 30 yards away at the time. I helped to pick him up and took him to the 31st.Bn. Regt. Aid Post, where I left him. He was unconscious from the first. ...’

In a letter to the Red Cross dated 28 June 1918, Private Wilkens stated Campion was wounded on the night of 10 October 1917.

‘...I belonged to the same Company as Pte Campion on the night of 10/10/17, he was severely wounded. Three other bearers and myself attended his wounds and brought him out to the R.A.P. belonging to the 31st Battalion A.I.F. he was then attended by the Medical Officer. I asked whether he had a chance of pulling through. The Medical Officer replied “Not the slightest.” I then left ...’

An examination of the battalion War Diary shows the date as reported by Wilkins cannot be correct because the battalion was relieved in the early hours of the morning that day.

 ‘Wednesday 10/10/17. The relief was not complete until 02.45. owing to “D” Company not being relieved until very late by 32nd Battalion, they having lost themselves.’[i] 

Bethmont said Campion was wounded at 7 p.m., and carried out to 31st Battalion RAP and Wilkins says he and three other bearers brought him out to the 31st Battalion RAP; obviously one of these was Bethmont.

With the 10 Battalion RAP preparing to be relieved by that of the late 32nd Battalion, taking wounded to the closest RAP, that of  the 31st Battalion, was the most sensible response; Campion was later transported to 3rd Field Ambulance and then on to the 10th Casualty Clearing Station.

In Gerald Campion’s Red Cross file is a letter dated 13 June 1918 in which the Officer Commanding the 10th Casualty Clearing Station wrote to inform the Red Cross that Private G.G. Campion had died at that Clearing Station on 10 October from ‘G.S. Wounds’ to his right forearm and eyes.

Considering the time that elapsed between him being wounded at 7 p.m., and admitted to the casualty clearing station he must have died early in the morning of 10 October. Since it is clear D Company was relieved at 2.45 a.m., on 10 October, Wilkins was probably referring to night 9/10 October as was so often the case.

After analysing all of the available evidence to determine who was definitely not on the raid, G. Campion’s file was set aside for closer perusal. Following a further search of his service record as well as that of his brother and the facts as presented above, it is not possible to say he was definitely not on the raid but nor is it possible to say he definitely was.

Because of the indicators already presented and the fact, he was one of the only remaining casualties it is considered highly likely he went on the raid and made it back, or was attempting to do so when hit by the shell.

[i] 10th Infantry Battalion War Diary,  Narrative of operations Appendix I period 24/9/17 -10/10/17  October 1917 AWM4 23/27/24

"LATE PRIVATE G. G. CAMPION.

Private Gerald Gordon Campion, eldest son of Mrs. C. Campion, of Curramulka, died of wounds in France on October 10. He enlisted on January 16, 1915, and left with the 5th Reinforcements of the 10th Battalion in April, 1915. He served on the Gallipoli Peninsula from June until the evacuation. In April, 1916, he proceeded to France, where he remained since (with the exception of 10 days' furlough in England last December). He had the longest service of any man in D Company. He was born at Minlaton, Yorke Peninsula, and was 27 years of age. He was of a cheerful and manly disposition, and for years was the mainstay of his widowed mother. He was educated at St. Bartholomew's School, Norwood and at Curramulka. Mrs. Campion has received word that her second son, (Private. W. E. Campion) has been missing since October & He enlisted in December, 1914, and was in the same company as his brother. He was invalided to England from the Gallipoli Peninsula, and joined reinforcements in Egypt. Thence he proceeded to France, was wounded in June, 1916, and was sent to England, where he remained for 11 months before rejoining his company in France." - from the Adelaide Daily Herald 29 Nov 1917 (nla.gov.au)