They made the Ultimate Sacrifice

 

James Campbell

 

Engine Room Artificer 4th Class, V50107, RCNVR

 

Born: 19 Aug 1921, Winnipeg, Manitoba

 

Died: 24 Nov 1944

 

Book of Remembrance

 

CAMPBELL, James, ERA, V50107, RCNVR, MPK - 24 Nov 1944, HMCS SHAWINIGAN - Son of Robert and Catherine Minnie Campbell, of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Husband of Eileen Elizabeth Campbell of Winnipeg.

 

ERA Campbell died, when his ship, HMCS SHAWINIGAN, was torpedoed and sunk with all hands on 24 Nov 1944 by U-1228 while on an independent A/S patrol out of Sydney, NS.  The province of Manitoba honoured ERA Campbell by naming Campbell Hill after him in 1989.  Campbell Hill, is northwest of Minuhik Lake, MB.

 

Engine Room Artificer James Campbell of Winnipeg was 23 year old and is commemorated at the Halifax Memorial. He was survived by his parents Robert and Catherine Campbell and by his wife Eileen E. Campbell (nee Todd) of Winnipeg. ERA Campbell enlisted in February, 1942, and served 15 months as instructor at Royal Canadian Naval College, Victoria, B.C. After serving three months in Ottawa under the director of naval engineering, he was later transferred to the Shawinigan. Artificer Campbell was educated at Principal Sparling and Daniel Mcintyre schools and prior to his enlistment was employed as a draftsman for the Dominion Bridge Company. Besides his wife and parents, he is survived by a brother, Donald, with the R.C.A.F. and four sisters, Rosalind and Ethel, at home, Mrs. G. Owens and Mrs. W. Simmons, both of Winnipeg. (The Winnipeg Tribune December 07, 1942).

 

* Note:  Mrs. G. Owens is Margaret Owens.  Mrs. W. Simmons is Florence (Flo / Florrie) Simmons.

 

James was an Engine Room Artificer and was a training officer on the west coast before transferring to the triangle run. He grew up on Erin St in Winnipeg with four sisters and a brother. He attended Daniel McIntire school. His father served in WWI and was wounded which made employment difficult. The house they all lived in was tiny and only two or three small bedrooms. (Submitted by James' nephew, Jim Campbell)

 

Ships served in:

WINNIPEG DIVISION RCNVR - Enlisted 17 Dec 1941. Commenced Active Service 14 Feb 1942 as a Stoker 2nd Class, RCNVR

HMCS NADEN - Drafted to NADEN 13 Apr 1942

HMCS GIVENCHY - Drafted to GIVENCHY 03 May 1943

HMCS NADEN - Drafted to NADEN 01 Jun 1942

* Rated Engine Room Artificer 5th Class

HMCS ROYAL ROADS - Drafted to ROYAL ROADS 06 Oct 1942

RCN COLLEGE - Drafted to RCN COLLEGE 21 Oct 1942

* Rated Acting Engine Room Artificer 4th Class 08 Apr 1943

* Rated Draughtsman 2nd Class whilst carrying out the duties in RCN College from 01-15 Jun1943

HMCS MIRAMICHI - Drafted to MIRAMICHI 16 Jun 1943

RCN COLLEGE - Drafted to RCN COLLEGE 02 Sep 1943

* Rated Draughtsman 2nd Class whilst carrying out the duties in RCN College from 02 Sep 1943 - 29 Jan 1944.

HMCS BYTOWN - Drafted to BYTOWN 30 Jan 1944

HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 02 Jun 1944

HMCS SHAWINIGAN - Drafted to SHAWINIGAN 13 Jun 1944

 

Documents from the Service File of James Campbell

 


 

Second World War Casualty Index

 

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