Allan William George Campbell

(20 October 1884 – 20 September 1914)

Allan Campbell was captain of his House in 1903 when he left to go up to Oxford. Full of life and intelligence, always trying to do his duty cheerfully and thoroughly, always ready to make the best of everything and everybody with irresistible brightness and good temper, he was liked by all who knew him, and loved by those who knew him.

He gave great pleasure by his Musical powers at the Musical Society and at Old Boys’ gatherings to which he used to come so regularly.

He did well at Oxford, and went from there into the Coldstream Guards, where he passed some useful years before joining the Special Reserve and being chosen as candidate for a northern constituency.

He married Lady Moya Browne before he left his regiment and they were busily engaged in his political campaign when war broke out and he returned to active service.

He was soon at the front and took part in the pursuit of the Germans after the battle of the Marne. He wrote “A great battle all Monday 13^th. We came up with the Germans at last. It was terrific. An inferno of shrapnel shells, howitzer shells machine guns and maxim bullets and rifle fire. We had ten officers wounded and one missing and that evening only produced 40 men out of 1100. I was reported missing with two sections and caused great surprise by rejoining the battalion with my command intact. I think that the battle that began early Monday and is still raging will be the biggest the world has ever known; it is grand to be taking part in it, and we are all eager to be in the thick of it again.”

On September 19 Lieut Campbell went into the trenches on the Aisne. About 4 p m a shell struck the three officers of No 1 Company. One was killed; the other two, including Lieut Campbell were wounded; he died of his wounds on the Sunday morning and now lies in Troyon churchyard. His brave, bright spirit lives on; he leaves a precious heritage to his wife and child.

(From The Eton College Chronicle)