Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Thomas Flett Campbell, known as Charlie, was born 19 Aug 1912 at Wooroolin, the son of Herbert & Elizabeth Campbell. Charlie and his 9 siblings all attended Wooroolin School. (Pupil No 403). His mother was one of the women on the School Committee in 1908 – the first all-female committee in Qld and possibly Australia. Charlie’s father operated a threshing outfit and steam engine from Wooroolin. He also put down many a borehole for underground water - the main source of water for livestock. Charlie was an avid football player as were his father and brothers. He was in the 1931 Undefeated Junior Premiers team. Charlie married Jeanne Shipway in 1937 at Wondai and they had 2 daughters before the war started.
In Aug 1942, aged 30, Charlie joined the Australian Army and served in the 2/4 Field Regiment with my Dad, Laurie Jones. Charlie and Dad trained at Tenterfield together and we are fortunate to have a photo of them enjoying a game a cricket during their training at Tenterfield. Charlies Army records are not yet available on the NAA website but I do have a copy of Dad’s and know that he served overseas in New Guinea and Borneo so can assume Charlie did too. Both men were Gunners.
The Xmas card Charlie sent to the Quail family in 1944 is a wonderful memorabilia thanks to Jo Rendle. And the 1994 photo of C Troop from the awm collection with all the names brings back memories of reunions of some of these people at our home when I was a young lass.
Charlie was discharged from the Army on 17 Jan 1946 and returned to Wooroolin. He lived in Short St with his wife and children. A son was born sometime after his return home. Charlie worked at Dalton Store on his return from his Army Service and probably worked there before as his records on VWMA website show he was a Shop Assistant. (I am still surprised that we have not yet found any photos of the Daltons Store between 1931 and 1980 – surely someone must have one!)
Charlie was one of the founding members of the Wooroolin-Tingoora RSL in 1946 and was president from 1947 until 1960. Charlie is in the 1947 photo taken when Sir Raymond Huish visited Wooroolin. He was very much involved in the Highland Gathering & Sports Days and any community event. He is also included in the photo of the 1972 Back to Wooroolin Committee.
After his retirement Charlie and Jean moved to a Retirement Village at the Gold Coast to be closer to their 3 children. Charlie died in 1993 and his ashes returned to Taabinga Cemetery where Jeanne joined him in 2007.
Lest We Forget