Campbell | Charles | | Captain | CAMPBELL, CHARLES, Captain, Royal Navy, was born at St Andrews 26 March 1847, eldest son of John Campbell, of Saddell. He was educated at Brenchley Vicarage, Staplehurst; at the Royal Naval Academy, Gosport, and entered the Britannia in 1860. He gained the diving prize for longest under water—one minute, 53 seconds (then a record). He joined HMS Magicienne under Prince Leiningen; served in the Marlborough, Mediterranean Flagship, and after seeing service in the Amphion, Royal Oak and Racer, he joined, in 1868, Galatea, under HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, and made a trip round the world. He was Flag Lieutenant to Admirals Campbell and Lord John Hay. He was present at the insurrection in Crete; at the taking of Cyprus; was Transport Officer during Lord Wolseley's Campaign against Arabi Pasha (Egyptian Medal and Khedive's Star); appointed to command HMS Lily; then in the Philomel in command of the East Coast of Africa. He suppressed the uprisings at Lamu and Witu; seized the Palace at Zanzibar; commanded the road-cutting party to Nana's stronghold, four days under fire, and led the centre attack; was created a CB, and received the African Medal. In the Theseus he went to Benin, and was Second in Command of the Expedition against the King. He saved 27 wounded from the fire that swept the city, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 25 May 1897]: "Charles Campbell, CB, Captain, Royal Navy. In recognition of services during the recent Expedition to Benin". He was Second in Command to Admirals Harris and Noel during the operations in Crete, 1897-99; commanded Medway Gunnery School, 1899-1902; was ADC to Queen Victoria and to King Edward 1899 to January 1902. Rear Admiral C Campbell married (1st), Esther Constance, daughter of Colonel J O Fairlie, of Coodham, Ayrshire, and (secondly), Florence Geraldine, daughter of Colonel A E Ross. He died 8 February 1911, and an obituary notice of him appeared in the ‘Times' of 10 February 1911.
KCMG, CB, DSO, 1897 Jubilee, Egypt (0) (Cmdr HMS Thalia), East & West Africa (1) Benin River 1894 Benin 1897 (Capt), Zanzibar, Order of the Brilliant Star (b/s). Midland Medals Apr 78 £1,850.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Navy |