TOPIC:

Hello Forum members,
I am in need of your help if possible.
I would like to put a first name and possibly a place of birth to a 5122 Private J Campbell 2nd Battalion Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders.
He died of his wounds at Wynberg which he suffered at Modder River. I would be very grateful for any additional information or archive newspaper records pertaining to this soldier.

As ever, your help will be very much appreciated.


Dave.......

His name appears on the British Memorial at Kimberley Wst End Cemetery

Hi Dave,

I think his name is "John" and he served with the first battalion; please see attached.

Regards,
Sturgy

Edit: By the way I also have a medal to a Private J. Robertson (3217) from the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders and I have also been unsuccessful in tracking down any additional research; I'll let you know if I have any success.

Hi Sturgy
Many thanks for the information.
A first name and Haddington as a possible birth place.
Very much appreciated, and good luck with your Private Robertson.

Dave......

Update on Private John Campbell ( My thanks to Sturgy and Elmarie for additional information) I wasn't too sure which category to post this ? Medals to the Argyle's, Single clasp, Modder River, Casualties? So I have updated this thread and added to the Modder River single clasp post. ( David please feel free to edit accordingly if a problem)

My latest purchase of a QSA casualty which also covers the single clasp criteria. ( On this occasion Mike, a Jiffy Bag Highland Fling).

5122 Private J Campbell 1st Battalion Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders. Queens South Africa medal with Modder River clasp.

John Campbell was born in 1874 at Gladsmuir, Haddington, Pencaithland East Lothian. He lived at Quarry house Spilmersford.
At 17 years of age he was living with his family and was working as an apprentice sawyer in 1891.

John joined the 2nd battalion Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders in 1894 aged 20. He served in India and was awarded the I G S with Punjab frontier 1897-98 clasp.

Private Campbell was on the move again in 1899 with the 1st battalion
sailing on the Orcana on the 27th October 1899, they arrived at the Cape on the 18th November. Along with the 2nd Black Watch, 1st Highland Light Infantry, and 2nd Seaforths, they formed the 3rd Highland Brigade under Major General Wauchope.
On the day at Modder River, 28th November. The battalion was placed under the commander of the 9th Brigade, Major General Pole-Carew. At 6.30 am the battalion was in reserve, but before 7.30 am they were in the firing line. They extended on both sides of the railway, and those on the right of it, having little cover, suffered very severely. It will be remembered that not withstanding every effort the Guards Brigade on the right of Lord Methuen's line could not effect a crossing of the river. Lord Methuen then directed his attention to the left and left centre. In the afternoon Colonel Barter with two companies of his men, the Yorkshire Light Infantry, assisted by men of the other regiments, carried a house and some rising ground which the Boers held on the near or left side of the river. Lieutenant Thorpe of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, acting directly under the orders of General Pole-Carew, boldly took his company into, and across, the river. The battalions in the firing line were mixed, and some of the Yorkshire Light Infantry and the Northumberlands accompanied Lieutenant Thorpe. The Boers still offered fierce opposition, but a battery galloping up helped to keep down the enemy's fire; it is said, however, to have unwittingly put some shells among its own forces. Soon more men got over, and General Pole-Carew was then able to advance up the north bank with some 400 men.

The losses of the Argyle's at Modder River were nearly double those of any other battalion engaged, being about 20 men killed, 2 officers and 93 men wounded, yet, strangely enough, Lord Methuen gave the battalion no mentions . Several unofficial accounts of the battle, including those of American journalist Mr Julian Ralph, who was present at the action, gave special praise to the conduct of the battalion.

Private John Campbell was one of the 93 wounded men and was transferred to a field hospital. He died of his wounds aged 25, two days after the action on the 30th of November 1899. He was interred at Kimberley West Cemetery and is also commemorated on the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders memorial at Stirling Castle, Stirling Scotland.
His personal effects were left to his brother Lauchlan Campbell, which equated to 3 shillings and 4 pennies.

Medal roll

Hi Dave F,

Thanks for the research; very informative.

I'm a fan of the 93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) Regiment of Foot from the Crimean War and they went on to amalgamate with the 91st (Argyllshire Highlanders) Regiment of Foot to form the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as we know them in the Boer War.

In the Crimean War they distinguished themselves at the Battle of Balaclava (Thin Red Line); but that's for another forum.

I have theory as to why Lord Methuen did'nt give them adequate recognition at the Battle of Modder River (28th Nov 1899) and that is due to what unfolded 2 weeks later at the Battle of Magersfontein (9 to 12 Dec 1899). Essentially Lord Methuen fell for the trap that General De la Rey had set and the Highland Brigade suffered the worst casualties with 902 killed or wounded; Thomas Packenham has a great summary of the action and gives a good explanation as to why most of the Highland Brigade died with their backs to the enemy; my theory is this is the reason why he did'nt mention them earlier as Packenham states "Methuen impassively watched the destruction of the Highlanders" and was "bitter, yet stoical". Anyway that's my theory as to why such a brave regiment never received any more recognition for their actions...he was bitter following the defeat which formed part of "Black Week".

Regards,
Sturgy