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Kā Kōrero o Waikirikiri Selwyn Stories

Private Peter Duncan Campbell

Description

TitlePrivate Peter Duncan CampbellSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionPeter was born at Killinchy on 10 November 1896, eldest son of James Duncan and Margaret Campbell. He was regarded by the district as “a fine stamp of young fellow and was deservedly popular. When only 16 years of age he achieved distinction as an athlete”

Before enlisting he was working for his father and it was noted that for some time he had been a great help to his father in contracting work. He had some previous military experience with the General Training section. The Defence Act of 1909 had made military training compulsory for men aged between 12 and 14 years old (Junion Cadets), 14 to 18 (Senior Cadets), 18 to 21 (General Training Section), and 21 to 30 (the Reserve).

He was 5ft 5in tall with a fair complexion, light blue eyes and light brown hair.

Peter enlisted on 23 November 1916 at Leeston and was assigned to the 24th Reinforcements Canterbury Infantry Regiment, C Company. He embarked on 26th April aboard the Pakeha for England arriving in Devonport and on to Sling Camp on 28 July. About six weeks later he left for France on 5 September arriving in Etaples on 9 September. He joined the 1st Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, 13th Company, in the field on 16 September. It was only two weeks later on 1 October 1917 that he was wounded and died of his wounds, aged 18 years and 11 months, at the Dressing Station. The Regimental history reports that the 1st Canterbury Battalion left Coulomby early on the 25th and arrived at 4 p.m. on the 28th in the Ypres North area, to the west of the town and close to the Ypres-Poperinghe railway. The following night the 1st Canterbury and 1st Otago Battalions took over the right subsector of the front line, the 1st Canterbury Battalion having its headquarters in Pommern Castle, a thousand yards south of the Wieltje-Gravenstafel road. The history notes that the brigade held the line, but with some casualties. Peter was buried in the Brandhoek New Military Cemetery no 3. In New Zealand Peter is remembered on the Leeston Plaque of the Ellesmere County War Memorial. He is also named on the Lakeside Roll of Honour.

During the First World War, Brandhoek was within the area comparatively safe from shell fire which extended beyond Vlamertinghe Church. Field ambulances were posted there continuously. Until July 1917 burials had been made in the military cemetery, but the arrival of the 32nd, 3rd Australian and 44th casualty clearing stations, in preparation for the new allied offensive launched that month, made it necessary to open the new military cemetery. The new military cemetery no 3 opened in August and continued in use until May 1918.

First NamePeter Middle NameDuncan Last edited by: Sarah Davy

Last NameCampbellFamilySingleEldest son of James Duncan and Margaret CampbellDate of Birth10 November 1896Place of BirthKillinchy, SelwynDate of Death1 October 1917Place of DeathYpres, BelgiumCause of DeathDied of wounds

Connections

Subject (Keywords)Ellesmere County War MemorialCollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OnePlaceKillinchy Last edited by: Sarah Davy

More InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph

Military Service

Occupation before EnlistingContracting with FatherRegiment or Service24th Reinforcements Canterbury Infantry Regiment, C CompanyEnlistment Details23 November 1916 at LeestonService Number44574Rank Last HeldPrivateEmbarkation26h April 1917Place of EmbarkationWellingtonTransportWaitemataTheatre of WarWestern FrontNominal Roll23/1

Attribution

Researched ByL. M. Seaton

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Private Peter Duncan Campbell