John Vaughan Campbell
Lieutenant-Colonel, Comd. 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards
- Register No.
- 180 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant-Colonel (register: Temp. Lieutenant Colonel) all Lieutenant-Colonels →
- Unit
- Comd. 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards all Coldstream Guards VCs →
- Date of action
- 15 September 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 26th October 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Born
- 31st October 1876 in London
- Died
- 21st May 1944 at Woodchester, Gloucestershire
- Memorial / grave
- Cawdor Parish Church, Nairn, Scotland. (cremated at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire)
- Medal held by
- the Coldstrteam Guards Regimental HQ
Digest of citation
On 15th September 1916 at Ginchy, France, Lieutenant Colonel Campbell took personal command of the third line when the first two waves of his battalion had been decimated by machine gun and rifle fire. He rallied his men and led them against the enemy machine guns, capturing the guns in killing the personnel. Later in the day he again rallied the survivors of his Battalion and led them through very heavy hostile fire. His personal gallantry and initiative at a very critical moment enabled the division to press on and capture objectives of the highest tactical importance
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
CAMPBELL, John Vaughan. (reg No. 180).
Lieutenant-Colonel Comd. 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards.
London Gazetted on 26th October 1916.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Coldstrteam Guards Regimental HQ.
Born on 31st October 1876 in London.
Died on 21st May 1944 at Woodchester, Gloucestershire.
Memorial at Cawdor Parish Church, Nairn, Scotland. (cremated at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire).
Digest of Citation reads: On 15th September 1916 at Ginchy, France, Lieutenant Colonel Campbell took personal command of the third line when the first two waves of his battalion had been decimated by machine gun and rifle fire. He rallied his men and led them against the enemy machine guns, capturing the guns in killing the personnel. Later in the day he again rallied the survivors of his Battalion and led them through very heavy hostile fire. His personal gallantry and initiative at a very critical moment enabled the division to press on and capture objectives of the highest tactical importance.
Additional information:. Brigadier General CAMPBELL was also a Companion of St Michael and St George (CMG) as well as holding the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). Prior to the above he served in the South African War from 1899-1902. From 1919-33 he was ADC to King George V. He was a Member of the Hon. Corps of Gentlemen at Arms from 1933-1944.
Additional information
Brigadier General CAMPBELL was also a Companion of St Michael and St George (CMG) as well as holding the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). Prior to the above he served in the South African War from 1899-1902. From 1919-33 he was ADC to King George V. He was a Member of the Hon. Corps of Gentlemen at Arms from 1933-1944.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Cawdor Parish Church, Nairn, Scotland. (cremated at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire)
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 Vaughan Campbell by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.