Campbell, James
Company Sergeant Major
No. 4842, 7th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in action on Thursday 9 August 1917 (aged 40)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium (Panel 40)
BIOGRAPHY
The death of Company Sergeant Major James Campbell (No. 4842) was reported in the 1 September 1917 edition of the Newtownards Chronicle and it was noted that for a long time he had been on the permanent staff of the Royal North Down Rifles in Newtownards and had lived in Ann Street, Newtownards.
He joined the Royal Irish Rifles in 1896 and served in India and Africa. After that he was posted to the permanent staff of the Royal North Down Rifles in Newtownards. After the outbreak of war, CSM James Campbell got married and for a time his wife lived in James Street, Newtownards with her sister Mrs Sharkey whose husband was also on the permanent staff of the Royal North Down Rifles.
Shortly after CSM James Campbell was transferred to Carrickfergus his wife moved there and she lived at 3 Victoria Street. Company Sergeant Major James Campbell was killed in action on 9 August 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres and he has no known grave.
In the Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects it is recorded that his sole legatee was his widow Rose.
In the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database it is recorded that Company Sergeant Major James Campbell (No. 4842) was born in Blaris, Co Antrim and lived in Portadown.
In the 1911 census it is recorded that James Campbell (aged 34), Roman Catholic Sergeant (Infantry) was a boarder at 38 Ann Street, Newtownards with Ellen Flynn (aged 46), a housekeeper.
James Campbell and Rose Penrose were married on 5 April 1915 in St Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church Dublin. James Campbell, a soldier from Holywood, was a son of John Campbell, a mason. Rose Penrose from 55 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin was a daughter of Christopher Penrose, a labourer.
Thomas Sharkey and Mary Elizabeth Penrose were married on 23 January 1909 in St Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church Dublin. Thomas Sharkey, a soldier from 4 Lower Abbey Street, Dublin was a son of Hugh Sharkey, a labourer. Mary Elizabeth Penrose from 55 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin was a daughter of Christopher Penrose, a labourer.
Company Sergeant Major James Campbell (No. 4842) is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.