John Charles Campbell
Brigadier, Royal Horse Artillery comd. 7th Armoured Division
- Register No.
- 179 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Brigadier (register: Acting Brigadier) all Brigadiers →
- Unit
- Royal Horse Artillery comd. 7th Armoured Division all Royal Horse Artillery VCs →
- Date of action
- 21–23 November 1941 on this day → all of 1941 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 3rd February 1942 on this day → all of 1942 →
- Born
- 10th January 1894 at Thurso, Caithness, Scotland
- Died
- 26th February 1942 in Libya
- Memorial / grave
- Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt and All Saints Cathedral, Cairo, Egypt
Digest of citation
On 21st November 1941 at Sidi Rezegh, Libya, Brigadier Campbell's small force holding important ground was repeatedly attacked and wherever the fighting was hardest he was to be seen either on foot or in his open car. Next day, under intensified enemy attacks, he was again in the forefront, encouraging his troops and personally controlling the fire of his batteries---he twice manned a gun himself to replace casualties. During the final attack, although wounded, he refused to be evacuated. His brilliant leadership was the direct cause of the very heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy, and did much to maintain the fighting spirit of his men
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
CAMPBELL, John Charles. (reg No. 179).
Brigadier Royal Horse Artillery comd. 7th Armoured Division.
London Gazetted on 3rd February 1942.
Born on 10th January 1894 at Thurso, Caithness, Scotland.
Died on 26th February 1942 in Libya.
Memorial at Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt and All Saints Cathedral, Cairo, Egypt.
Digest of Citation reads: On 21st November 1941 at Sidi Rezegh, Libya, Brigadier Campbell's small force holding important ground was repeatedly attacked and wherever the fighting was hardest he was to be seen either on foot or in his open car. Next day, under intensified enemy attacks, he was again in the forefront, encouraging his troops and personally controlling the fire of his batteries---he twice manned a gun himself to replace casualties. During the final attack, although wounded, he refused to be evacuated. His brilliant leadership was the direct cause of the very heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy, and did much to maintain the fighting spirit of his men.
Additional information: Major General Campbell also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and 2 Bars as well as the Military Cross (MC).
Additional information
Major General Campbell also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and 2 Bars as well as the Military Cross (MC).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt and All Saints Cathedral, Cairo, Egypt
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
Research this recipient further
Would you like to honour John Charles Campbell by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.