Campbell, A (Andrew)
Campbell, A (Andrew)
Private Andrew Campbell was the son of Robert and Elizabeth Campbell, of 3, Dixons Close, Tower Road, Londonderry. He had been a member of the Orange lodge[1], 3rd Battalion of the Ulster Volunteer Force[2] and a treasurer for the Apprentice Boys[3]. He served with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Andrew had landed in France on the 29th of April 1915 and joined the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers who had been at the front line since August 1914.
May 1915, began in Bethune[4] the 2nd Battalion received only 10 casualties whilst there and by the 9th they were on the move again, this time to Richebourg[5] and went to the line and positioned in breastworks[6].
On the evening of the 15th of they attacked from the breastworks and although they had some gains and captured trenches, most were given up by the evening of the 16th. Casualties of this assault were high. This event was latter called the Defence of Festubert[7]. All land gained was consolidated by the 26th of the same month, a few days later, the battalion moved to billets at Vermelles[8] and remained in this area throughout June, which was an incredibly quiet month, only 19 men were wounded.
By the 4th of July, the depleted battalion was back in the trenches again, but this time at Bethune, here they received 2 casualties. While also being billeted here, 2 enemy shells landed on the men, while they were at rest. This caused 78 more casualties. The battalion left the front again, this time by train and travelled to billets at Terramesnil.[9]
Andrew was wounded by two bullets during July, one in the arm and the other to the shoulder. He was sent back home and was sent to the Welsh Metropolitan hospital, Cardiff[10].
Initially the staff thought he would make a full recovery, but he suddenly took a turn for the worse. His mother was contacted, and she immediately left to go see her son, but it was too late, by the time she reached Cardiff, he had died.
Private Campbell was taken home and laid to rest with a full military funeral. Hundreds of people lined the street as the procession of bandsmen, and soldiers followed his horse drawn carriage.
He was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British War and Victory Medals.
Date of Death: 04/08/1915 (Aged 28)
Service: Private, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion.
Service Number: 4496
Burial Location: Glendermott Church of Ireland Churchyard and New Cemetery, Old ground, South-East of Church
[1] Orange order is a Protestant organization based primarily in the north of Ireland who are in tribute to King William of Orange.
[2] A Protestant Militia, based in Ireland, formed in 1912.
[3] Apprentice boys is a Protestant organization based primarily in Londonderry in the north of Ireland who are in tribute to the siege of Derry.
[4] Bethune is a city in northern France about 8 miles southwest of Richebourg.
[5] Richebourg is an area in northern France, close to the border of Belgium, around 30 miles south of Ypres.
[6] Breastworks: A breastwork is a temporary fortification, often an earthwork thrown up to breast height.
[7] Defence of Festubert: Casualties: 668 men killed, wounded, or missing.
[8] Vermelles is about 8 miles south of Richebourg.
[9] Terramesnil is around 36 miles southwest of Bethune.
[10] Cardiff is a port city on the south coast of Wales.
