James Campbell (1887 -1915)
From Sacriston, served with 1st/8th Battalion DLI
When the First World War began, James Campbell was living in Sacriston, possibly with his brother, Alexander. James enlisted in the 8th Battalion DLI – his local Territorial Force battalion – in Durham.
On 19 April 1915, the 1st/8th Battalion DLI left Newcastle for active service in France. 2754 Private Campbell was one of the raw Durham soldiers who went into action just a few days later in the Second Battle of Ypres. In the fighting on Gravenstafel Ridge to the north east of Ypres, and especially at Boetleer’s Farm, the 1st/8th Battalion suffered many casualties. In this fighting on 26 April 1915 James Campbell was killed.
Private Campbell’s death was reported in the Chester le Street Chronicle on 4 June 1915. As his body was not recovered from the battlefield, his name is recorded on the Menin Gates Memorial at Ypres.
Civil Parish: Witton Gilbert
Birth date: 1887
Death date: 26/04/1915
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 130 Staffordshire Street, Sacriston, County Durham.
Military service:
2754 Private, 1st/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry.
Medal(s): 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Memorial(s): Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial – Panel 36 and 38
Gender: Male
Contributed by Sacriston Heritage Group | Durham County Record Office. Jack Mulligan, Lewis Cooper and Daniel Hyatt