| Campbell | Walter | | Captain | CAMPBELL, WALTER Captain and Brevet Major, was born 30 July 1864, son of John Campbell, of Rathfern, County Antrim. He was educated at Wellington, and at Trinity College, Cambridge; graduated BA 1885; joining the Gordon Highlanders as Second Lieutenant, 5 February 1887. He was promoted Lieutenant, December 1890, and served with the Waziristan Field Force from 1894 to 1895 (Medal with clasp). He took part, in the operations of the Chitral Relief Force in 1895, and was in the storming of the Malakand Pass (Medal with clasp). From 31 January 1896 to 20 January 1899, he was Adjutant to the Gordon Highlanders; was promoted Captain 11 January 1897; Major 28 April, 1906; Lieutenant Colonel 1 January 1907, and Colonel 19 July 1911. He accompanied the Tirah Expeditionary Force (1897-98); was present at the actions at Dargai and Sampagha and Arhanga; he was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 1 March and 5 April, 1898], received Brevet of Major, with two clasps. Major Campbell served with great distinction throughout the South African War (1899-1902), with the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders. He was subsequently transferred to the Highland Brigade as Brigade Major, and finally appointed DAAG Army Headquarters, taking part in the advance on Kimberley, including action at Magersfontein; during operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg (17 to 26 February); actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein and Vet River (5 and 6 May); during operations in the Transvaal, east and west of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900; during operations in Orange River Colony, May to 29 November 1900, including actions at Wittebergen (1 to 29 July); in the operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1899—1900; in the operations in Cape Colony, north of Orange River. Taking part in the operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900 to 31 May 1902; he was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 16 April, 10 September 1901, and 29 July 1902], and awarded the Queen's Medal with five clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Walter Campbell, Captain and Brevet Major, Gordon Highlanders. In recognition of services during operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by King Edward VII 24 October 1902; the Warrant sent 4 November 1902. From 19 October 1902, to 17 May 1903, Major Campbell was DAAG to the 3rd Army Corps, when he was posted as DAQMG at the War Office. He was appointed in 1904 Deputy Assistant Director of Movements at the War Office, remaining in the post until 5 October 1908. General Staff Officer, 2nd Grade, Aldershot Command, 1908 to 1911; AQMG, Scottish Command, 1911 to 1914. During the European War Colonel Campbell rendered valuable service to the nation. In the opening months he acted as AA and QMG, becoming DA and QMG, Temporary Brigadier General, 1 October 1914, and Temporary Major General, 13 July 1915. In October 1915, he was appointed DQMG. He was mentioned eleven times in Despatches, created a CB in 1915, KCMG in 1917, and KCB in 1919, and became Major General 1 January 1910. In 1904 he married Gladys Isabella, eldest daughter of Major Lutley Jordan, late 34th Regiment. They had two daughters.
KCB (m), KCMG, DSO, IGS 1854 ‘Waziristan 1894-5', IGS 1895 RofC P-F Tirah, QSA (5), CC Paard Drief Trans Witt (Major), KSA (2) (Maj DSO), 1911 Police Coronation Medal, Order of the Redeemer (Greece) 2nd Class, Order of Al Nahda (Jordan) 2nd Class, Legion d'Honneur (France) 3rd Class, Order of the Nile (Egypt) 3rd Class. Gordon Highlander Museum, Aberdeen 2001.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Gordon Highlanders |
