Photo: Derek Haynes
J. Campbell
Royal Engineers
27th February 1919
Derek Haynes has provided the following:
James was born June 1873 in the registration district of Hunslet, the son of Robert and Margaret Campbell (nee Crawford). It would appear that Robert and Margaret moved from Scotland to Hunslet, Leeds with their two eldest children, Matthew and George, between 1855 when George was born and the September 1858 when their first daughter Isabella was born in the registration district of Hunslet. Father Robert was employed as an Enginesmith.
From the children found taken from various census returns James was the youngest of the family: Matthew born 1853, Scotland; George born 1855, Scotland; Isabella born September 1858, Hunslet; Janet born December 1862, Hunslet; Elizabeth born December 1864, Hunslet; Margaret born June 1866, Hunslet. Margaret died aged 4 years June 1871 at Hunslet; Marion born March 1868, Hunslet. Marion died aged 4 years Sept 1872 at Hunslet; Mary Ellen born December 1871, Hunslet.
At the time of the 1881 census James, aged 8 years, with his parents and four siblings, was residing at 30 Addington Place, Hunslet in the County of Yorkshire. He was attending school and his father was employed as a Foreman Fitter in an Engine works.
By 1891, while other siblings have moved from the family home, James now aged 18 years, was still at home with his parents and elder sister Mary Ellen. He has followed his father into the engineering industry and was employed as a Steam Engine Fitter, possibly in the same company as his father. The family was still residing at the same address.
When the census return for 1901 was taken James was residing with his recently widowed mother, Margaret and his 16 year old nephew Horatio. His father died in the September 1900 in the registration district of Hunslett. The family home was still at 30 Addington Place.
By 1911 there was a downturn in the fortunes of James, at the time of the 1911 census (2nd April). Still single, and aged 37 years, he was serving time as a prisoner in Love Lane Prison, Wakefield. It was not known what crime he had committed or the length of sentence was received. I have been unable to find a newspaper report giving the details of how he ended up in prison.
Then the following report appeared in the Yorkshire Post & Leeds Intelligencer 19/07/1911 page 5 column B:
James Campbell (38), engineer, was sentenced to 2 months' imprisonment with hard labour for demanding 1 shilling by menace from Annie Bywater at Leeds on May 8, with intent to steal.
It appears that James could not keep out of trouble as on the 10th November 1911 he appeared at Leeds Police Court charged with breaking a valuable plate glass window. Reading the report which appeared in the Yorkshire Evening Post, it appears that James had seen the error of his ways and had realised what had contributed to his downfall.
The following was the report as it appears in the newspaper:
Two Months Not Enough
Unusual Request to Leeds Stipendiary
Prisoner’s Explanation of Downfall
James Campbell a good looking, well spoken and strongly built man, who figured in the dock at the Leeds Police Court today, was unusually candid and at the same time anxious to go to prison for a longer period than was possible. He was found guilty of breaking a valuable plate glass window."I only came out of prison just recently" he said "and I got a job at the steel works, but it was too much for me, so I chucked it up and went drinking heavily for a whole week. I am very sorry to be in this predicament. I come from a respectable family and I have had several good situations, but I have always laid them down through drink. I know I have been a foolish man, but it’s all through drink."”
Campbell handed a long written statement to Mr. Marshall, the Stipendiary Magistrate, and he also called the police officer who had given evidence against him to speak for him. The officer, however, said that the man would not do any regular work.
His Worship: “How does he get his living?”
The officer: “By imposing on good nature.”
His Worship: “Well I’m afraid he has not done you much good, Campbell.”
A number of previous convictions were proved against the prisoner.
Prisoner: “If you can’t deal with me as I suggest in that paper, I want you to send me to prison for six months, the full time.”
His Worship: “Why do you want six months?”
Prisoner: “Because I think I shall be better, when I come out.”
His Worship: “I’m afraid I can’t give you more than two months.”
Prisoner: “That’s no good to me, sir.”
His Worship: “I dare say you are right, but you must go to prison for two months.
Prisoner: “Thank you sir. I wish you a merry Christmas. Two months! I wish it had been six.
James did not get the sentence he wanted, but maybe the two months' sentence was enough for him to turn his life around as he was next found on the 15th April 1915 in Leeds enlisting into the 211th Field Co. Royal Engineers (Regimental number 84141). His Army records which survived give a description of James: Height: 5ft. 9ins. ; Weight: 140 lbs. ; Eyes: Brown; Hair: Grey ;Fresh complexion; Good physical development; Some patches of Alopecia on head; Tattoo mark left forearm.
His time with the Royal Engineers would not last long as he was discharged on the 17th July 1915 “As not being likely to become an efficient soldier.”
On the 8th December 1915 James enlisted in the Scots Guard (Regimental number 27243) and on the 11th February 1916 he was posted to Caterham, Surrey. It would appear that James did not stay with any one regiment for any prolonged period.
25th April 1916 transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers (27243).
15th June 1916 transferred to Leicestershire Regiment (29391).
26th September 1916 transferred to the Royal Engineers (171453).
He served as an Engineer’s Labourer in the Royal Engineers Railway Company.
Aged 43 years James was discharged from the Army as no longer fit for active service on the 7th February 1917.
At the time of his discharge James was in ill health and diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. His medical report states he had pneumonia when he was aged 18 or 19 and had been quite well till up to 5 years ago (1912). It does seem the reasons for his transfers and especially from the Scots Guards was that twice in 1916 he had a haemoptysis (coughing up of blood). He was experiencing loss weight and breathlessness.
On the 17th January 1917 he was a patient in the Military Hospital, Catterick Camp, Yorkshire. At some time prior to 24th April 1918 he became a patient at East Leeds War Hospital*.
Prior to becoming the East Leeds Hospital the building was used as the Leeds Union Workhouse. The workhouse and infirmary were handed over to the War Office for the care of sick and wounded serviceman. It is now known as St. James’s Hospital.
I can find no records as to why, after leaving East Leeds War Hospital, James came to be residing at 16 Clockwell Street in the parish of Southwick. On the 27th February 1919 aged 45 years he died in the Royal Infirmary, Sunderland. James was laid to rest on the 5th March 1919 in Section U Grave no. 10311 of Southwick Cemetery.
James Campbell is listed in Peter Gibson's Book
