Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Full name was George Arthur Campbell (BDM Qld birth and death register) also known as Arthur George Campbell (BDM Qld marriage register).

When George Campbell enlisted in 1901 in the 5th QIB and his details were published with the rank and file in The Queenslander, 16 Mar 1901, he noted his N.O.K. as his father, Manning St, South Brisbane. In the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 5th QIB, Bk 3 p. 126, it is noted he directed part of his pay to his mother Mrs. H. E. Campbell, Manning St, South Brisbane.

The Boer War Service Paybooks also note that when the 5th QIB returned to Australia he remained in South Africa. He instead embarked aboard Britannic bound for England where he was discharged on 20 May 1902. The paybooks note his address in England as c/- Mr A. Platt, London, presumably a relative of his mother whose maiden name was Platt. There is a further entry noting he returned to Australia and his address as of 20 May 1903 was Manning St, South Brisbane.

George Campbell (recorded as George Arthur Campbell on BDM Qld birth register) was born on 28 Jan 1879 in Queensland, a son to Edwin Campbell and Harriett Eliza Campbell (nee Platt). He married (under the name Arthur George Campbell) Emily Patience Tunley on 26 Apr 1905 in Queensland and they had 3 children. They resided on the property he had purchased in 1905 at Wonglepong, then known as Tabragalba, which he farmed.

When he passed in 1949, while on holidays at Burleigh Heads, an obituary was published in The Beaudesert Times, 1 Jul 1949. The obituary was written for Arthur George Campbell and noted he was a veteran of the Boer War. It is noted that Murray's nominal roll does not contain an entry for surname Campbell with a given name of Arthur, other than one Arthur Leslie Campbell that served with a NSW contingent. Also note above the recording of his death under the name of George Arthur Campbell on the BDM Qld death register.

The obituray also contains the same recollection of events as the Boer War Service Paybooks, that on completion of his service in South Africa he went to England for some months before returning to Australia. The following is a part extract of the obituary, refer to the links for the full copy.

Obituary: Mr. A. G. Campbell- The Beaudesert Times, 1 Jul 1949, p. 6.

Mr. Arthur George Campbell, who passed away at Burleigh Heads last week had lived at Wonglepong, near Canungra, for forty-four years, and during the whole of that time had taken a keen interest in the public affairs of Canungra and district.

The late gentleman, who intended living in Brisbane, was holidaying at Burleigh Heads with his daughter, and had left Wonglepong only a few days when he took a seizure and died shortly afterwards.

Mr. Campbell served in the Boer War and before returning to Queensland, went to England and took a position in London, where he stayed for several months. Upon return to Brisbane he decided to go on the land, and in 1905 purchased a property at Tabragalba in the district afterwards called Wonglepong. He was always interested in public affairs, and some of the positions he held were: A trustee of the Methodist Church, councillor of the Tamborine Shire, chairman of the Canungra A.I.F. Entertainment Committee and member of the Canungra Anzac Day Commemoration Committee.....

(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 503; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 5th QIB, Bk 3 p. 126; Obituary- The Beaudesert Times, 1 Jul 1949, p. 6; Qld BDM online registers).