CAMPBELL, James Chippendall
| Service Number: | 634 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 January 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 3 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia , 22 November 1918 |
| Home Town: | Charleville, Murweh, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Toowoomba Grammar School, Scots College Warwick, Queensland, Australia |
| Occupation: | Journalism |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Middle East, 25 January 1941, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Alamein Memorial, El Alamein War Cemetery, El Alamein, Marsa Matruh, Egypt. Column 245. |
| Memorials: | Alamein Memorial (El Alamein), Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Toowoomba Grammar School WW2 Honour Board |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flying Officer, 634 | |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Jan 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Air Cadet, 634, No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School Benalla | |
| 4 May 1940: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, No. 21 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 25 Oct 1940: | Embarked Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, Emb. Fremantle for Middle East | |
| 4 Nov 1940: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer | |
| 27 Nov 1940: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 634, No. 3 Squadron (RAAF), Middle East / Mediterranean Theatre |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Forbes Campbell and Doris Campbell; Husband of Ann Campbell, of Kew Victoria
Flying Officer James Campbell was the Pilot of a No. 3 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force Gloster Gladiator IK8022 that was lost as a result of enemy action during air operations on 25th January 1941. He was on an offensive patrol of 4 Gladiator aircraft when attacked by 5 Fiat G50’s James Campbell was shot down and he was found dead in his aircraft by an Army unit. On 5th February 1941 his father was notified by telegram that James Campbell had lost his life and that his body had been buried. Subsequent information revealed that his aircraft had been shot down in combat with enemy fighters 2 miles of Segnali (Cyrenaica) at 0830 hours on 25th January 1941. James Campbell’s body was identified by his identity discs and personal papers and buried in a solitary grave 120 yards from the signpost at Segnali Cross Tracks by a Padre Joseph Gallagher.
The Commanding Officer of No. 3 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force provided the following report on the circumstances of James Campbell’s death:
On 25th January 1941, Flying Officer Campbell was flying in a formation of 4 Gladiators on protective fighter patrol over our forward troops in the Mechili area. They were attacked by 5 Fiat G50’s, and our formation was scattered. Nothing further was seen of Flying Officer Campbell by our own pilots but the following is an extract from a report received from Headquarters Support Group who were in the area:
“Flying Officer J.C. Campbell was killed in action on January 25. At about 0830 hours (0630 hours G.M.T.) his patrol of 4 Gladiators flew East over Support Group Headquarters at Segnali. They were followed a few minutes later by 5 G50’s who caught them up about 2 miles East of Segnali. In the fight which followed, one Gladiator was seen to be shot down. Flying Officer Campbell was already dead when we reached him. His Gladiator had dived into the ground and turned over. It did not catch fire. He was buried by the Padre at Segnali, 120 yards on a bearing of 217 degrees from the sign post at main 1 tracks”.
Local Roll of Honour- Charleville Queensland Australia
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