Notes

Son of Mrs. S. J. Campbell, of Princess St., Kincardine, ON. Although Attestation Papers indicate a birth in London, ON, birth records indicate born in Kincardine Township, ON. Campbell sailed with the First Contingent in October 1914. After training in England, he arrived in France in February 1915. His unit (12th battery, 3rd Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery) was in action during the 2nd battle of Ypres during April-May of 1915 and provided artillery support for various other actions during that year. He was discharged from the Canadian Army in February 1916 after he attached to the Royal Flying Corps in November 1915, thereby allowing him to join the RFC. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal following event sin June 1917 for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst acting as observer to another N.C.O. he and his comrade performed a most daring and successful photographic reconnaissance for the purpose of confirming information they had already obtained respecting the working of hostile kite balloons. During this operation they were heavily fired upon, and their machine put completely out of control, but with wonderful coolness and presence of mind they righted the machine, Serjt. Campbell climbing on to the extreme tip of the wing in order to do so."

Sources & Links

- a) nationalarchives.gov.uk
- b) Royal Air Force casualty card (https://www.casualtyforms.org/form/2570)
- c) Bruce Remembers feedback received May 18, 2023 from The Great War (1914-1918) Forum (https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/211935-roy-oswald-campbell-rfcraf/)
- Library & Archives Canada
- War Graves Commission
- Book of Remembrance
- Canadian Virtual War Memorial