CAMPBELL, Harold

DIVISIONAL UNIT:     1st Canadian Infantry Division                                                                                                                                         1st Infantry Brigade                                                                                                                                                           4th Battalion - Central Ontario                                                                                                                                           Canadian Infantry Corps                                                                                                                RESIDENCE:             Brussels                                                                                                                                        CEMETERY:              Ontario Cemetery - Sains-les-Marquion -                                                                                                                         Nord / Pas de Calais - France                                                                                                                                           1     A     6                                                                                                                                    PARENTS:                 Mr. & Mrs. Angus Campbell - Brussels - Ontario 

Harold was born in Brussels - Grey / Morris Townships - County of Huron - Ontario and was raised in the Church of England faith. He was employed as a cement worker prior to his enlistment. Harold was a member of the 33rd Huron Militia Regiment. He enlisted in Brussels at the age of 20 years   2 months on October 14, 1915.                                  Private Campbell embarked from Canada almost immediately leaving in the middle of November and arrived overseas in England on November 30, 1915 and immediately moved to the West Sandling Transit Camp located in Kent. Following a period of time at this location he transferred to the 4th Battalion which was based at Witley Camp - Surrey. In late May of 1916 he embarked from England and went overseas into France and on May 29th he joined his unit in the field.                                                                                                                                                Corporal Campbell was admitted to No. 3 Canadian Field Ambulance on April 9, 1918 with shrapnel wounds in his left arm. From there he is transferred to the Southwick Military Recuperation Hospital - Sussex on April 13th and is discharged on May 24, 1918. He then goes overseas into France and rejoins his unit on September 6, 1918.              The Battalion on the night of September 27th moved to the assembly area in front of Inchy-en-Artois at approximately 9 pm. On the morning of September 28th the 4th Battalion was in the area of Inchy and the Canal du Nord. Zero hour was scheduled for 5:00 am and the heavy rain that was falling made the visibility next to zero. These rains had been falling since the night of September 26/27.                                                                                  At 5:00 am the Canadian artillery barrage began to fall onto the enemy positions but the enemy immediately replied with his own artillery barrage onto Inchy-en-Artois and the Buissy Switch. The 4th Battalion was forward of the enemy barrage. The Battalion began their attack which was the first phase of the Battle of Cambrai. The Battalion was able to reach their objectives following the Canadian barrage and "D" Company achieved their first objective in 12 minutes.   "A & B" Companies then passed through and the Battalion consolidated with "C" Company on the left front and "B" Company on the right front. "A" Company was now in support and "D" Company was in reserve. The advance went forward again at 2:00 pm with the first echelon establishing dump. The second echelon then moved from Cagnicourt to a position in Valenciennes. Here they consolidated for the night and formed a defensive line on the right flank of the  1st Battalion.                                                                                                                          During this day of advancing the casualties numbered 141 men killed, wounded or missing. Our research shows Corporal Campbell being killed in action as he assisted with the clearing of the enemy from the Canal du Nord. His unit at the time was located in front of Inchy-en Artois.                                                                                                    Corporal Campbell died immediately after he received wounds to his temple.