Thomas Campbell

Forename(s):
Thomas

Surname:
Campbell

Initial(s):
T

Service Number:
R/26533

Rank:
Rifleman

Regiment:
King's Royal Rifle Corps, 9th (Service) Battalion

Died:
21/03/1918

Aged:
25

Buried:
Pozières Memorial (Pozières British Cemetery)

Service History:
Enlisted at Alnwick, Northumberland.

Campbell was a member of Felton Rifle Club. He was an excellent shot & he was drafted into the King's Royal Rifle Corps.

He probably arrived on the Western Front to join his battalion sometime in 1916. His battalion formed part of the 14th (Light) Division, which saw action at Arras & the Somme in 1916, & Arras, Ypres & Messines in 1917.

On 21 March 1918, the battalion was in the front-line near St. Quentin when the Germans opened one of the most intense bombardments of the whole war, lasting 5 hours. This was the beginning of 'Operation Michael', commonly referred to as the 'Kaiserschlacht' ('Kaiser's Battle'). German infantry attacked through dense fog. Front-line posts were surrounded & overwhelmed. Three battalions of the K.R.R.C., including the 9th, were effectively wiped out.

Initially reported 'Missing', it was only in the following January that death was presumed & confirmed.
(Source: 'Felton War Memorial: The Men behind the names'; Eleanor George [formerly Hall]; 2009; p. 39)

Background:
Born on 3 February 1893, at New Shoreston, Bamburgh, Northumberland, the fourth & youngest child of John Campbell (a Farmer; by 1911 farming at Old Felton), by his wife, Ann Campbell (née Gall).

Residents of Felton, Northumberland, the family were regular attenders at Felton Presbyterian Church.

Thomas was a Farm Labourer, like his brothers.
(Source: 'Felton War Memorial: The Men behind the names'; Eleanor George [formerly Hall]; 2009; p. 39)

Local Memorial:
Felton War Memorial incorporating Acton, Eshott, Swarland & Thirston