Canada. A First Group to Acting Bombardier Frederick James Campbell, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery

1914-15 Star (5565 GNR: F.J. CAMPBELL. R. CAN:H.ART:); British War Medal (5565 A. BMBR. F.J. CAMPBELL. R.C.H.A.); Victory Medal (5565 A. BMBR. F.J. CAMPBELL. R.C.H.A.); and Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, George V (SGT. F. J. CAMPBELL R.C.H.A.). Naming is officially impressed, with all regimental numbers double struck on the Star. Mounted to a cardboard support, original ribbons, edge nicks on the BWM, spotting on the VM, contact marks, very fine.

Footnote: Frederick James Campbell was born on August 22, 1891 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England. He signed his Attestation Paper (5565) with the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Brigade on September 23, 1914 at Valcartier Camp, at the age of 23, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Nelly Campbell of Kingston, Ontario, stating that he had six months' service with Canadian Field Artillery and one year and nine months' service with the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, that he was Married and that his trade was that of Machinist. His religion was Church of England. During his medical examination, the doctor noted that Campbell had a tattoo of a rose on his right forearm. He had been assigned as a Gunner with "B" Battery, Canadian Field Artillery. Campbell's unit sailed on October 3, 1914, arriving in England shortly thereafter. A month after he left Canada, he forfeited five days' pay and was sentenced to 72 hours detention on November 4, 1914. He again ran afoul of the authorities six months later, as he was declared "Absent" and forfeited three days' pay on May 3, 1915. Campbell embarked for service in the French theatre with the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, on July 18, 1915, arriving in Le Havre, France on July 20th. He was with the Canadian Corps when he was classified "P.B." and attached to the Canadian Corps Composite Company on September 20, 1915, where he would remain for the next four weeks, before returning to duty on October 15th. Campbell was appointed Acting Bombardier on December 11, 1915. He continued to be a disciplinary problem, as he was "Absent from his Guard" between 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. on February 26, 1916 and reverted to the permanent grade of Gunner in the field the same day. He also forfeited five days' pay for "using improper language to an N.C.O." on August 10, 1916. He was admitted to No. 73 Field Ambulance with a case of "Synovitis" in his left knee (a condition where the synovial membrane, which lines and lubricates the knee joint, becomes inflamed) and was subsequently transferred and admitted to No. 10 General Hospital at Rouen on September 4, 1916 and released a week later, followed by his posting to the Canadian Base Depot on September 11, 1916. He was appointed Acting Corporal on April 21, 1917 and re-classified "P.B." on August 16, 1917. Campbell ceased to be attached to the Canadian Corps Composite Company, on transfer to 6th Canadian Area Employment Company on August 23, 1917. He was promoted to Corporal on May 4, 1918, classified "A" in the field on June 26th and arrived with the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery on July 22nd. He was appointed Acting Bombardier on August 14, 1918, reverting to the rank of Gunner at his own request on September 14th. He overstayed his leave and received four days' reprimand and forfeited four days' pay later that year. He was admitted to No. 14 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux on September 12, 1918 with a sprained right elbow, where he received treatment for it. Campbell suffered from an inflamation in his left knee on October 25, 1918, initially seen at No. 7 Canadian Field Ambulance, then transferred to No. 49 Casualty Clearing Station the same day, before being admitted to No. 53 General Hospital at Boulogne on October 26th, where he was diagnosed with "Arthritis".

A week later, he was transferred to No.2 Native Labour Hospital, British Section at Pont de Briques, on November 5th, followed by a transfer nine days later to No. 10 Convalescent Depot at Escaut on November 14th, where he would recuperate for the next six days, before being discharged to duty at the Canadian Infantry Base Depot on November 20, 1918. He was classified "B1" by the Base Medical Board on December 5, 1918. Illness would beset Campbell again, as he was struck off strength upon being admitted to No. 7 Canadian General Hospital at Etaples on December 7, 1918 with a bout of "Influenza". Almost three weeks later, he was invalided "sick" and posted to the Canadian Army Regimental Depot Bordon, then admitted to Graylingwell War Hospital at Chicester on December 26th. Sixteen days after arriving at Graylingwell, he was transferred to Princess Patricia Canadian Red Cross Hospital, Cooden Camp in Bexhill on January 11, 1919, where he would spend the next nine weeks recuperating from the severe attack of Influenza, before being discharged to duty on April 14th. In May, Campbell was posted to "M" Wing at the Canadian Concentration Camp Rhyl at Ripon for return to Canada. He was struck off strength of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada on proceeding to Canada, embarking from Southampton, England on July 2, 1919, arriving in Halifax on July 8th. Acting Bombardier Frederick James Campbell was discharged upon demobilization at Dispersal Area Station H, Military District No. 3 in Kingston, Ontario, on July 11, 1919, credited with having served with the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in France, entitled to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", number 213182. For his First World War service, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. After the war, Campbell joined the Permanent Forces, enlisting with "B" Battery, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (8419) at Barriefield, Ontario, on October 1, 1919. He and his wife, Nelly, were acknowledged as having two daughters, Mary Fernie Campbell (age 5) and Helen Louise Campbell (age 2), at the time of this enlistment. Sergeant Campbell was later awarded the Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.