United Kingdom, Canada. A Parachute Regiment Group, 2nd Parachute Brigade Headquarters, 6th Airborne Division

Item #GB7015

Price:

$95

Parachute Regiment Folder (in maroon plastic, with four clear plastic sleeves, measuring 75 mm (w) x 110 mm (h), housing his Parachute Regiment Association Membership Identity Card (black and white photo, named to "J.F. Campbell", membership number "23291". measuring 85 mm (w) x 55 mm (h)); along with his Obituary from the Halifax Mail-Star); two Birmingham Juvenile Organisations Committee Medals (both with a three-piece construction, in sterling silver with red, white and blue enamels, one engraved "1942-43 A.Y.C. ERDINGTON F.C. J. CAMPBELL." and marked "STERLING" on the reverse, measuring 26.7 mm (w) x 39.5 mm (h), the other engraved "B'HAM F.C. CUP RUNNERS-UP 1943-44" and marked "STERLING" on the reverse, measuring 28.8 mm (w) x 35.2 mm (h), both with intact enamels); a Football Competition Medal 1948 (in bronze with a chocolate-brown finish, illustrating a football-playing scene in front of the net on the obverse, engraved "BECKENHAM LEAGUE V WAGENINGEN EASTER 1948" on the reverse, measuring 31.5 mm (w) x 34.5 mm (h)); two Bermuda Football Combination Medals 1955-1956 (both in bronze with black enamels, illustrating a ship surrounded by the inscription "BERMUDA FOOTBALL COMBINATION" on the obverse, one inscribed "T.D.B. CUP COMPETITION" and engraved "1955-56 RUNNERS-UP" on the reverse, the other inscribed "LEAGUE DIVISION I" and engraved "1955-56 RUNNERS-UP" on the reverse, measuring 32.7 mm in diameter each); Bermuda Football Medal (in bronze gilt, illustrating a football (soccer) ball with shoe and inscribed "FOOTBALL" on the obverse, Bermudian coat-of-arms on the reverse, measuring 29.2 mm (w) x 29.2 mm (h)); and a West Van Medal Football (Soccer) Medal 1984 (in bronze gilt, obverse illustrating a football (soccer) player on the obverse, engraved "WEST VAN 84" and maker marked "d.m." on the reverse, measuring 42.5 mm (w) x 46.5 mm (h)). Very fine.

 

Footnote: John Frank Campbell was born in Lisbon, Portugal, the son of John Frank Campbell Sr. and (Alice Edith) Maude (Marsh) Campbell of London, England. During the Second World War, he served in England and Palestine with the 2nd Parachute Brigade Headquarters, 6th Airborne Division. The 2nd Parachute Brigade was an airborne forces brigade formed by the British Army during the Second World War. The 2nd Parachute Brigade was the second parachute infantry brigade to be formed by the British Army in 1942. It was initially part of the 1st Airborne Division but in 1943, after the invasion of Italy, became an independent formation. As an independent brigade it was variously assigned at different times, and served under the command of the 2nd New Zealand Division, the 8th Indian Infantry Division, and the 1st Airborne Task Force. Before the end of the Second World War in Europe, the brigade saw active service in Italy, the South of France and Greece. At the end of the European war the brigade returned to the United Kingdom and was intended to join the 44th Indian Airborne Division in the Far East, for service against the Japanese Empire, but the war ended before they sailed. Instead the brigade was assigned to the 6th Airborne Division, which had been named the Imperial Strategic Reserve, and sent to serve in the Mandate of Palestine. In his early years, Campbell was an avid football (soccer) player throughout the Kent and Sussex areas in England. He was also a well-known bartender/waiter on cruise ships sailing between the United Kingdom, New York, Bermuda and Halifax, Nova Scotia during the 1950's and 1960's. Upon immigrating to Canada, his expertise in the catering field was sought by better establishments in the metro Halifax area for many years. In addition, he served with the Canadian Coast Guard and retired from the service. He was a life member of the Civil and Military Masonic Lodge in Hamilton, Bermuda, as well as being a member of the Centennial Branch 160 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and a charter member of the British Isles Club of Halifax. He was married to Joan M. Campbell (Kohout), the couple having two daughters, Jeanne and Heather. John Frank Campbell died on Monday, November 21, 1994 at Dartmouth General Hospital, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, at the age of 68. His remains were cremated, which was followed by a private scattering of his ashes at sea.