Name
William Edward Campbell
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
29/07/1918
32
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/63058
The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
2/4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RAPERIE BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLEMONTOIRE
IA. A. 8.
France
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Bengeo memorials
Pre War
Born in 1887, in Bengeo, to parents Thomas and Laura, he was one of three, and in 1901 they were living in Wotton, Surrey and his father was employed as a coachman domestic. In 1911 they were living at the Black Swan Inn, Hatchford, Cobham, Surrey, where his father was now an inn keeper and William was employed as a coach painter. At the time of his death William was living in Godalming, Surrey.
Wartime Service
The battalion was raised in 1914 and joined the 53rd Division and was sent to Gallipoli in July 1915. They fought to capture and hold Hill 53, they suffered heavy casualties and were evacuated from the peninsula in December 1915 and were sent to Egypt where they guarded the Suez Canal until January 1917, when they went into Palestine and fought in all three battles for Gaza until they reached Jerusalem which surrendered on 9th December 1917. The following May the battalion was sent back to France where they fought at the 2nd Battle of the Marne, the last major German Spring Offensive. The battalion was in action from 23rd July at Bagneux Ridge, which they captured after heavy fighting as part of an Anglo-French offensive. At 04.10 on 29th July the attack began but the Queens were forced to retire when two platoons came under heavy enfilade fire. It was at this battle that William died.
Acknowledgments
Terry & Glenis Collins
