Gordon Campbell (Royal Navy officer)
Gordon Campbell | |
---|---|
Knight of the Legion of Honour (France) Croix de Guerre (France) | |
Relations | Sir Edward Campbell, 1st Baronet (brother) Brigadier Lorne MacLaine Campbell VC (nephew) |
Other work | Member of Parliament Writer |
First World War.[1]
Early life and career
Born on 6 January 1886 to
First World War that he was awarded the Victoria Cross for the following action:[3]
On 17 February 1917 in the north
Q ships) sighted a torpedo track. He altered course and allowed the torpedo to hit Q.5 aft by the engine-room bulkhead. The 'Panic party' got away convincingly, followed by the U-boat. When the submarine had fully surfaced and was within 100 yards of Q.5—badly damaged and now lying very low in the water—the commander gave the order to fire. Almost all of the 45 shells fired hit the SM U-83 which sank. Q.5 was taken in tow just in time and was safely beached. On 22 March 1916, another U-boat, SM U-68was sunk by Farnborough.
Campbell also commanded
Victoria Crosses were awarded to two members of the crew who were selected by ballot from amongst the crew of Dunraven, Lieutenant Charles George Bonner and Petty Officer Ernest Herbert Pitcher. Campbell received his second Bar to his Distinguished Service Order (DSO).[5]
Later life
Campbell later achieved the rank of
Member of Parliament for Burnley, defeating the Labour leader, Arthur Henderson. In 1935, however, standing as a Liberal National
, he lost his seat.
In the Second World War, Campbell was recalled to the Royal Navy and, serving in the rank of commander, was responsible for anti-invasion measures around Padstow.[6]
Campbell wrote several publications, including the successful My Mystery Ships. His brother, Sir Edward Campbell, 1st Baronet, was also a Member of Parliament.
His Victoria Cross is held at his old school, Dulwich College.
References
- required.)
- ^ "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times. No. 36902. London. 18 October 1902. p. 9.
- ^ "No. 30029". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 April 1917. p. 3819.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: UC-71". U-Boat War in World War I. Uboat.net. Retrieved 15 April 2009.
- ^ Gazette Issue 30363 published on 30 October 1917 p11315
- ^ Tempting the Fates,17 Aug 200, Dare Wilson
External links
- Gordon Campbell at Find a Grave
- Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Gordon Campbell
- Winchester, Clarence, ed. (1937). "Salute to a Hero". Shipping Wonders of the World. pp. 129–135. illustrated account of Gordon Campbell, "the most famous Q-ship officer"