Charles Campbell was the son of Hugh and Mary Campbell (nee Haugh/Hawe). He was born in Stewartstown on 15th May 1889. He was one of at least twelve children. The family moved to Belfast. Prior to enlisting, Charles worked as a general labourer. Rifleman Charles Campbell was killed in action at the Battle of Cambrai on 22nd November 1917. He was one of three brothers who served.
Further Information
Charles Campbell was the son of Hugh and Mary Campbell (nee Haugh/Hawe).
Charles Campbell was born in Stewartstown on 15th May 1889. He was one of at least twelve children.
The 1901 census records that the family the family were living at Sherrygroom near Stewartstown County Tyrone. Charles was 12 years old. He held left school and was working as a farm labourer. His father is not listed as living with the family, but his mother is still listed as married. Charles elder sisters all worked as ‘weavers of tape’.
Known family: Hugh Campbell, Mary Campbell, Ellen Campbell (born 28th October 1879), Mary Martha Campbell (born 6th August 1881), Charles Campbell (born 3rd April 1883, died 14th May 1883), Bridget Campbell (born 3rd June 1884), Hugh Campbell (born 20th September 1885), Margaret J Campbell (born 10th July 1887), Charles Campbell (born 15th May 1889), Sarah E Campbell (born 24th September 1890), Francis Campbell (born 23rd March 1892), John Campbell (born 20th May 1894, died 27th May 1894), Samuel Campbell (born 25th August 1895).
The 1911 census shows the family had moved to Laganvale Street in Belfast. Charles' mother was now a widow. Charles now worked as a general labourer.
Charles Campbell enlisted in Belfast, joining the 10th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. He had been with them almost from the beginning of the war, and had been through most of the earlier engagements.
Rifleman Charles Campbell was killed in action at the Battle of Cambrai on 22nd November 1917. He was 28 years old.
From the Belfast Evening Telegraph dated 17 December 1917:
Official intimation has been received by Mrs Campbell, 9 Laganvale Street, Belfast, that one of her three soldier sons, Rifleman Charles Campbell, Royal Irish Rifles was killed on 22 November 1917. His other two brothers, Hugh and Francis, are also serving with the Rifles, the former having been gassed. All the boys belong to the South Belfast Regiment U.V.F.
From the Belfast Evening Telegraph dated 27 December 1917:
Riflemen Charles Campbell and Hugh Campbell. Two of the three soldier sons of Mrs Campbell, 9 Laganvale, Belfast. Charles has been killed and Hugh has been gassed.
Charles' brother, Rifleman Frank Campbell (19422), served with the Royal Irish Rifles and also died in the war.
Another brother, Hugh Campbell (594), also served with the Royal Irish Rifles and survived the War despite being gassed. He later married Elizabeth Murray from Drapersfield, Cookstown.
Rifleman Charles Campbell has no known grave and is commemorated on panel 10, on the Cambrai Memorial, France.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 25th November 1939: Remembrance Day - Stewartstown
In loving memory of my dear brothers, Charles and Frank Campbell, 10th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (South Belfast Volunteers), killed in action 1917. In fond remembrance by their sister and brother-in-law, Ellen and W J McVey.
A family story has it that Hugh was removed from the trenches as his brothers had been killed in the War. Hugh's Service papers show that he was transferred to the Home Battalion on ‘compassionate grounds’ in June 1918, shortly after Frank was killed.
All the information provided here is courtesy of the excellent research undertaken by Mr Eddie Kelso.
