Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

James Alexander Campbell was the second son of James and Rebecca Ann (née Gibson) Campbell, of Kingsdown. He was educated at Kingsdown School, leaving in 1900 to work in a dentist’s office in Timaru. His brothers John Gibson Campbell and Robert Campbell also served in World War I. James was one of the first to enlist, finding himself in September 1914 among 2100 under canvas at the Auckland mobilisation camp. James and his brother Robert were named among 17 past pupils of Kingsdown School at the front or preparing to go, at the school's picnic and prize day in December 1915. Mr Craigie, M.P. and past pupil, referred to the Great War as “the most momentous war of all history” and noted that Kingsdown, in proportion to its population, had nobly done its share in sending men. At the December 1917 Kingsdown School picnic, Mr J. Craigie, M. P., complimented those present on their patriotism and made the observation that few districts in New Zealand, if any, were better represented at the front in proportion to their population. At that date, 33 past pupils had gone to the Front and of the 31 survivors, all were still serving; among the names read out were the brothers James, John, and Robert Campbell. James gave 4 years and 131 days of service (11 August 1914 - 18 December 1918), in the Field Ambulance, well over 3 years overseas, though they were years punctuated with illnesses. Early in December 1915, while serving with the N.Z. Field ambulance, he arrived at Greylingwell War Hospital, Chichester, the telegram stating “No further particulars. I hope we shall soon hear that he is progressing favourably towards recovery.” In April 1916 he was admitted to Mt Felix Hospital; in July 1916 he was well enough to leave the New Zealand Military Hospital at Walton-on-Thames. He was mentioned in despatches - for valuable services rendered in connection with the War (brought to notice of Secretary of State for War and published in the Press by the War Office). This advice was published in the New Zealand newspapers in October 1918, when he was one of the officers mentioned for war services. Sergeant J. A. Campbell returned to New Zealand on the "Ulimaroa", embarking on 1 May 1918 at Liverpool and arriving on 14 June 1918, when he returned home for a brief spell before returning to camp. He was Dental Officer on the "Ulimaroa", an experience which was not without repercussions. He was severely chastised for irresponsibility and sub-standard efforts - criticisms which were unjustified as James had faulty equipment and insufficient supplies on board. He had treated 1086 patients in London between 21 July 1917 and 13 April 1918. On discharge in December 1918, he intended to return to Rowleys Buildings, Church Street, Timaru. He was appointed to Trentham Dental Hospital, but was granted privileges from 21 November 1918, at which time his address was Kingsdown, Timaru; and he was to be struck off the strength of the N.Z.E.F. from 18 December 1918. He was discharged as Lieutenant, but this was amended to Staff Sergeant. At the May 1919 meeting of the South Canterbury Hospital Board, as the honorary secretary to the South Canterbury Branch of the New Zealand Dental Association, he advised two appointments of honorary dental surgeons to the hospital and temporary treatment of school children at the hospital. His medals had been issued prior to his death in 1927. Lieut. J. A. Campbell, N.Z.D.C. Dental Surgeon, was presented with a Parchment Commission (appointed to temporary rank of Lieutenant) soon after 11 September 1919. He was appointed an Officer in the Land Forces (i.e. Territorial Force) of the Dominion of New Zealand, from 14 October 1918. In October 1919 he was recorded as Dental Surgeon, Timaru; he was, indeed, resident in Timaru in May 1919, but in September appears to be in Christchurch. On 15 May 1920 he headed north (from Timaru) to attend the dental conference. James came to a sad end when he was found dead by suicide (gas poisoning) in his surgery in Auckland in 1927. At the time he was residing at a hotel in the city. What effects did a long period of war service have? James had enlisted, was on Gallipoli until the evacuation, earned his commission (as Lieutenant in the Dental Corps), and later saw service in France. When he came home he was assessed as suffering from general debility (rheumatism and deafness). James was one of four local men welcomed home in January 1919 at a big gathering in the Kingsdown School, under the auspices of the local Patriotic Society. There was musical entertainment before the men accepted suitably inscribed gold medals as a token of the district's appreciation of their gallant services for King and Country. It would appear that this James Alexander Campbell was, inadvertently, posted to the Reserve List (with permission to retain rank and wear the prescribed uniform). His name appeared in the Gazette of 17 October 1935 on the Officers' Retired List, the recommendation having come from the Director of Dental Services on 18th September 1935; this despite Notification of Death having been received on 28 July 1927.

In fact he had been confirmed in his rank (Lieutenant) and transferred to the Reserve of Officers, on 3 October 1923, as notified in the N.Z. Gazette of 25 October 1923. Earlier still, James had disputed his rank on his Discharge Certificate, but it was pointed out that his service in the NZEF and his commission did not overlap and were separate services. In March 1917, William Campbell, brother of James, John and Robert, appealed against his call up on the ground of undue hardship - he already had three brothers at the front and two others working on his father's farm; he was unable to sell or lease his own farm. He was twice granted a sine die adjournment. And in June 1917 his father appealed against the call up of another brother, Percival Campbell, as Percival was most essential in the working of the farm, and James already had three sons at the front; he was financially able to employ labour but where could he get it? James’ death was indeed a tragic end. “I have been a trier. This place has proved a white elephant. Continued ill health and domestic and financial worries have got me down, and I cannot go any farther.” That was the message left by James Alexander Campbell. A cleaner found him dead in his dental surgery in Auckland, a gas mask over his face connected to the gas jet. Just prior the proprietress of the Royal Hotel where he had been staying received a letter from him in which he said that he would not be back that night. He enclosed receipts for premiums on an insurance policy for £500 with the A.M.P. Society’s Wellington office, and gave her authority to operate the policy. “You should get your money first,” he said. “Take it and please send the rest to my wife.” He also thanked Mrs Reilly for all she had done for him, and closed his letter by saying “Good-bye.” This lady said that he was a sober man, and that she had never seen him the worse for liquor. The coroner returned a verdict of suicide by gas poisoning.

On 21 October 1916 at All Saints’, Forest Gate, London, he had married Lilian Jane Lindsay. James and Lilian went to London in 1922; James returned in 1923 and Lilian in 1924. Lilian was residing in England at the time of his death. James having left no will, his brothers, P. Campbell and Robert Campbell, sought administration of his estate. There were insufficient funds available to meet the claims made on his estate, and administration was in the hands of the Public Trustee. The family brought James home for burial in the Timaru Cemetery.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [12 July 2014]; N Z Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5530 0022325) [13 July 2014]; N Z Defence Force Territorial Force Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5937 0362531) [13 July 2014]; Timaru Herald, 20 December 1915, 28 December 1917, 24 June 1918, 27 January 1919, 22 May 1919, 15 May 1920, New Zealand Herald, 5 September 1914, 2 May 1916, 7 October 1918, 27 & 28 June 1927, Otago Daily Times, 9 December 1915, 22 May 1916, 16 March 1917, 17 October 1917, 28 June 1927, Auckland Star, 1 May 1916, Press, 4 May 1916, Star, 19 July 1916, Sun, 18 December 1916, Evening Post, 7 October 1918, 2 & 9 November 1918 (Papers Past) [12, 16 & 20 July 2014; 28 June 2016]; Timaru Herald, 27 June 1927 (Timaru District Library) [14 July 2014]; UK/NZ travels (ancestry.com.au) [17 August 2014]; Timaru Cemetery burial record (Timaru District Council) [11 April 2015]; Probate record (Archives NZ/FamilySearch) [28 June 2016]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• Newspaper reports, 27-28 June 1927 - CAMPBELL James Alexander - suicide (pdf, 17.8 KB updated 19-Jul-2016)
• Timaru Herald 20 August 2016 - Great War Stories - James Alexander CAMPBELL (pdf, 426.6 KB updated 01-Sep-2016)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC branch NZSG

Currently Assigned to

TS