Clarence Victor Campbell
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Clarence was the son of Francis William and Edith Gertrude Campbell (née Wildgoose).His father Francis William was born in Sheffield in 1866, the son of Robert and Mary Ann Campbell and his mother Edith Gertrude was born in Dronfield, near Sheffield, in 1864, the daughter of James Wildgoose. Francis and Edith were married at Christ Church, Heeley, Chesterfield, in June 1892 and had four children: Clarence Victor b. Clay Cross 1893 (reg. J/F/M) and Dennis Howard b. 1899 (reg. 1900 J/F/M) and twins Jessie Laura Fanshaw and Edith Constance b. 1902 who were born in Chesterfield. All the children were baptised in Chesterfield, Clarence and Dennis at Holy Trinity on 22 March 1900 and the twins in June 1902.In 1901 Francis, a pawnbroker, and Edith were living at 33 Clarence Road, Chesterfield, with their two sons. Also in the household was a general domestic servant.The family had moved to 2 Wharf Lane, Chesterfield, by 1911. Clarence was a clerk in the employ of the Chesterfield Board of Guardians and the Rural District Council; he was still working for the Board of Guardians when he enlisted on the outbreak of war.At the time of Clarence's death in 1917 his parents were living at The Poplars, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield, and this was still their address when the later CWGC record was compiled.in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Francis, a clothier and jeweller, his wife and their unmarried daughter, Jessie, who was a shop assistant to her father, were living at The Bungalow, Tupton, Chesterfield. Francis died in 1947 (reg. J/F/M) and his widow also in 1947 (reg. O/N/D). Their three children, Dennis, Edith and Jessie, survived them.
Clarence first served in the ranks (2899 Private) in 'A' Coy, 1/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). He was promoted corporal then sergeant before he was awarded a commission as second-lieutenant in 1917.He served with the Battalion in France from 28 February 1915 and in the August suffered injuries after being trapped in a dugout which was hit by a shell. Clarence later returned to England where he was a musketry inspector at Lichfield, Staffordshire.He was commissioned second lieutenant on 27 June 1917 and appointed to the 1/7th (Robin Hoods) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). Clarence was killed during the Third Battle of Ypres, Hill 70 sector, on 26 October 1917 and is buried at Philosophie British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas de Calais, France (grave ref. III.A.5).He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.CWGC - History of Philosophie British Cemetery (extract): 'The cemetery was started in August 1915. In 1916 it was taken over by the 16th (Irish) Division, who held the Loos Salient at the time, and many of their dead were brought back to the cemetery from the front line. Succeeding divisions used the cemetery until October 1918, and men of the same Division, and often the same battalion, were buried side by side. After the Armistice, this cemetery was one of those used for the concentration of isolated graves from the Loos battlefield.' (www.cwgc.org)
WMR682. Clay Cross War Memorial. St Bartholomew's Church, High Street, Clay Cross S45 9DZ - 'Campell CV'WMR1443. Christ Church Chesterfield memorial.CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die' CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Francis William and Edith Gertrude Campbell, of "The Poplars," Sheffield Rd., Chesterfield. Native of Clay Cross, Chesterfield.'The following letter was published in the Derbyshire Courier, 21 August 1915: From Clarence Victor Campbell ‘A’ Company 1/6th Bn SF (Territorial Force). 'I expect you would be very surprised to receive my field card intimating that I was in hospital. I am starting this letter at a clearing station where I am waiting transfer to another hospital. When I get settled I will add the address. Now about the reason I am here. It was a terrible affair, and I am pleased to say I am feeling heaps better than I expected – only a little shaken. After writing your letter yesterday morning I lay down in a dug-out for a read; two other fellows were also in. A number of shells were flying around, and somehow the roof, which was not very well supported, fell in. Altogether about three tons of sand and earth fell on us. I have never experienced anything so awful in my life as my feelings were then. We were completely buried for twenty minutes before any assistance came. Just imagine being covered with sand and not being able to move a twenty-fourth part of an inch. It was slow death, and we were all suffocated. I called for help till I had no breath left in my body and then said that I thought was my last prayer and passed off. The next thing I knew was that some-one was swinging my arms about, and I gradually came to. It was nothing but artificial respiration that saved my life. The doctor said I had had a very narrow shave and that several times they gave me up. Nevertheless I got through, but am sorry to say one of the poor chaps ‘pegged out.’ The other one and myself were carried to the hospital in the rear of the lines to await the ambulance, and while there a shell burst over us and hit the other chap in two places – head and arm. His wounds were dressed, and he will go on all right. We then came to another dressing station, thence to this clearing camp. The sights at the dressing station were simply awful; it made me forget all about my accident to see the others. Will finish this later.P.S. The doctor has just been round, and I shall be quite A.1. after a few days’ rest.''Corporal Campbell was describing the collapse of a dug-out in Sanctuary Wood on 10 August 1915. The soldier who was suffocated was 1861 Private Percy Schwartz, who came from Mosborough and had been a miner in civilian life. Buried in the wood, his grave was not found after the war and he is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.'Source: ourwar1915.wordpress.com/2017/01/14/it-was-a-terrible-affair-2899-corporal-clarence-victor-campbell-a-company-16th-battalion-the-sherwood-foresters-nottinghamshire-and-derbyshire-regiment-territorial-forceDerbyshire Times, 28 July 1917: ‘Sergeant Clarence Victor Campbell of Chesterfield, has been granted a commission in the Sherwood Foresters. In civil life he was on the clerical staff of the Chesterfield Board of Guardians and Rural District Council. Enlisting in the Sherwood Foresters shortly after the outbreak of war, he spent a long time in France, but recently has been in England acting as instructor.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Derbyshire Times, 3 November 1917: ‘Chesterfield Officer’s Death. Many of our Chesterfield readers will deeply regret to learn of the death in action of Second-Lieutenant Clarence Victor Campbell, elder son of Mr and Mrs FW Campbell, The Poplars, Sheffield Rd. Official intimation was received of the sad event by telegraph on Tuesday and was followed by letters of sympathy from the deceased’s brother officers. His Lieutenant-Colonel writes to Mr and Mrs Campbell: ‘Your son had unfortunately not been with us very long, but he was an excellent officer and was becoming very useful to us. All who were brought into contact with him were struck by his personality and he is a great loss to the regiment.’ A Second-Lieutenant in the same battalion, in the course of a letter, writes: ‘He was an ideal soldier. He always did his utmost for his men, and he died nobly doing his duty.’ Second-Lieutenant Campbell was 23 years of age, and leftthe Chesterfield Union Offices, at which he was on the clerical staff, in October, 1914, to join the Sherwood Foresters. Enlisting as a private, his promotion was rapid. After four months’ training, he crossed [to France], where he had a narrow escape from death. A shell sent a dug-out tumbling about him and when he was extricated he was found to be badly injured, and artificial respiration had to be resorted to. After spending five months in hospital, Sergt Campbell, as he then was, was appointed musketry inspector, and spent some months at Lichfield. He then sat for his commission and in July of this year he was gazetted to another battalion of the Foresters. Lieutenant Campbell was educated at St Cuthbert’s College, Worksop.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Derbyshire Courier, 10 November 1917: ‘Milk and Coal. Chesterfield Guardians and Maximum Prices … It was decided to send a letter of condolence to Mr and Mrs Cambell, parents of Mr Victor Campbell, for some time a clerk in the offices, who was recently killed in action. The Chairman said that Mr Campbell was an assistant in Mr Hartwright’s office since 1910. He joined the Army in 1915 as a private, and was promoted to second lieutenant. He was a great favourite with everyone in the office,, and it was a great shock to them all when they learned that he had been killed in action.’ (www.britishnwespaperarchive.co.uk)Probate: Campbell Clarence Victor of 1 The Poplars Sheffield-road Chesterfield Derbyshire second-lieutenant in the Notts and Derby regiment killed in action 26 October 1917 in France Administration (with Will) Derby2 July to Francis William Campbell pawnbroker. Effects £165 3s. 7d.
