220936 Pte. James Campbell British Army 22nd (3rd Tyneside Scottish) Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers from:Blyth, Northumberland (d.22nd Jun 1916) My Great Uncle, James Campbell was from John Street, Cowpen, Blyth, Northumberland and died from his wounds in the trenches of the Somme on 22/6/16. He was serving in the Tyneside Scottish battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers. One of eight siblings and only three would live to see adulthood. We will always remember him and all the other men who made such a sacrifice for this country.
Editor's Note:- In the Register of Soldiers Effects, the entry relating to James Campbell indicates that he died in no.38 Casualty Clearing Station from the effects of gas.
The war diary for his Battalion establishes that, between the 16th and 24th June 1916, they were in trenches near to Becourt Wood, with Battalion Headquarters being at Becourt Chateau. There is an entry stating that on the night of the 22nd June,'25 men were gassed while our own gas cylinders were being placed in the forward lines'. A total of 17 were killed on that day. James Campbell is interred in the Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe. Additional Information: | Thank you for your comments. That is very interesting, as I have his medal plate and a memorial card with it that clearly states 'died of his wounds'. However, I had heard that a letter had been sent to the family from a friend who had survived which mentioned gas and that it may have contributed to his death. Although, we have no idea to the whereabouts or existence of this letter and therefore were unable to substantiate this.
Claire Gilfillan
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