Private James Campbell

Thanks to Gary Mitchell for granting us permission to share his Facebook posts on our blog

________________________________________________________________________

29 March 2022

Served and suffered during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery, have I been forgotten?

68 years ago today, on the Monday afternoon of the 29th March 1954, Private James Campbell, 3rd Battalion (Reg No-2334), coal miner from Teralba Road, West Wallsend, New South Wales and 5 James Street, Hamilton, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 63. METHODIST 4-24. 55.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134917362 - funeral notice does not state service.

Born at Lambton, New South Wales on the 21st September 1890 to James and Elizabeth Campbell; husband of Doris V Campbell nee Clapham (married 1917, West Wallsend, N.S.W., died?), James enlisted May 1915 at Liverpool, N.S.W.

Admitted to hospital 14.1.1916 (ear trouble, mild, shell shock?).

James was invalided home July 1917, being discharged medically unfit (deafness) on the 10th August 1917.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134860306 - welcome home.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134860104 - public welcome home and presentation by the Young Girls' League at the Federal Hall, West Wallsend.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134864179 - public welcome home by the Patriotic Committee at the West Wallsend School of Arts.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122216450 - public welcome home.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122220722 - a social and welcome home and presentation at the Federal Hall, West Wallsend.

Mr. Campbell’s name has been inscribed on the West Wallsend and District Soldier's Memorial (photos, unveiled on the 28th January 1922, 288 names inscribed, 59 Fallen) and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall. Name not inscribed on the West Wallsend Methodist Church Roll of Honour.

I located James resting in an unmarked grave, another Forgotten Digger of The Great War, so November 2014 I placed a cross at the gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.

I will be submitting an application to DVA asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque, curbing and marble chip to restore Honour and Dignity to Jas.

Younger brother William (35th Battalion, Reg No-752, born 1893, West Wallsend, N.S.W., died?, name inscribed on the West Wallsend Methodist Church Roll of Honour)) also served 1st A.I.F.

Younger brother David Aitken (Royal Garrison Artillery, 36th Brigade, Reg No-178, born 1895, West Wallsend, N.S.W., died 7.7.1968, Hamilton, N.S.W., Plaque in New South Wales Garden of Remembrance) also served 1st A.I.F.

Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.

Lest We Forget.