Geoffrey William Campbell was the son of William and Edith Rosetta Campbell. Despite military records to the contrary, Geoffrey was born between October and December 1898 in Shillelagh, County Wicklow. William and Edith Campbell were school teachers at Ampertaine National School, Upperlands, Co. Derry. The school was located beside the main road to Kilrea. Geoff Campbell joined the Black Watch. He was reputed to have said ‘We wanted to see what it felt like in a kilt’. Private Geoffrey William Campbell was serving with the 4th/5th Battalion of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) when he was killed in action by a shell in a communications trench at Beaumont Hamel on Friday 12th January 1917. Geoff was killed a month after he had arrived at the front. He was 18 years old.
Further Information
Geoffrey William Campbell was the son of William and Edith Rosetta Campbell. Edith Rosetta Valentine was born on 23rd May 1868 [baptised 12 July 1868] in Gilford, Co. Down. They were married on 27th September 1892 in Newington Presbyterian Church, Belfast and was conducted by the Rev. J. Waddell. The witnesses were John Speirs and Bertha Valentine. William Campbell gave his place of residence as Garvagh and Edith gave her place of residence at the time of her marriage as Belfast and both gave their occupations as schoolteachers. William's father was James Campbell, a farmer and Edith's father was William Valentine an accountant.
Despite military records to the contrary, Geoffrey was born between October and December 1898 in Shillelagh, County Wicklow.
William and Edith Campbell were school teachers at Ampertaine National School, Upperlands, Co. Derry. The school was located beside the main road to Kilrea.
The 1901 census lists Geoffrey William as age 2 living with family at house 52 in Upperlands, Swatragh, Londonderry. The census confirms his parents as school teachers and that Geoffrey was born in Wicklow.
The 1911 census lists Geoffrey William as age 12 living with family at house 12 in Upperlands, Swatragh, Londonderry. Geoffrey was still at school.
Family: William Campbell, Edith Rosetta Campbell, Ralph Valentine Campbell (born 2nd May 1894, Coleraine), Kenneth Campbell (born 28th August 1895, Belfast), Royston Dunbar Campbell (born about 1898, Wicklow), Geoffrey William Campbell (born about 1899, Wicklow), Hazel Campbell (born 3rd May 1900, Magherafelt), James Campbell (born 7th November 1902, Magherafelt), Johnnie Campbell (born 14th May 1905, Magherafelt).
Geoffrey William joined the army during World War I. Wallace Clark in his book Linen on the Green, page 95, recounts how Geoff and his chum Jim Pink, who was an office boy in the mill, joined the Black Watch in 1916. Apparently, Jim and Geoff had gone to Dublin in 1914 to join the Inniskilling Fusiliers when the war broke out but doctors discovered that Pink was only 14 years of age and Geoff 16 years of age and they were both discharged and sent home.
Despite being only 16 in 1916 Jim Pink and Geoff Campbell now 18, appear to have been successful in their second attempt to join up. This time they joined the Black Watch. According to Wallace Clark they are reputed to have said ‘We wanted to see what it felt like in a kilt’.
A report in a local paper from July 1916 notes that Private J W Campbell of the Black Watch had been home on leave for a few days prior to his going to the front.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 29th July 1916: Upperlands
Private J W Campbell, Black Watch, has been enjoying a few days leave at home this week prior to his going to the front. His many friends in this district wish that he may be spared to return in safety.
Private Geoffrey William Campbell was serving with the 4th/5th Battalion of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) when he was killed in action by a shell in a communications trench at Beaumont Hamel on Friday 12th January 1917. Geoff was killed a month after he had arrived at the front. He was 18 years old.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 27th January 1917:
Private G W Campbell, Black Watch, son of Mr and Mrs Campbell, Ampertaine National School, Upperlands, killed in action, 12th January. He was formerly a member of the staff of Messrs William Clark & Sons, Upperlands.
Private Geoffrey William Campbell is buried at Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery.
The CWGC record Private Geoffrey Campbell as the son of William and Edith R. Campbell, of Ampertaine School, Upperlands, Co. Derry.
