Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Andrew Campbell was born in Paisley, Scotland about 1882. He travelled to Queensland, date unknown, and the 1916 electoral roll shows him living at West Brae Farm, Wooroolin, occupation Farmer. This farm was the home of the Glen family also from Paisley, Scotland.
In March 1916 Andrew travelled to Brisbane with 2 other Wooroolin lads, James Taylor and Harold Staton. I guess they travelled the 13 hour train journey. They all enlisted in the Australian Army on 21 Mar 1916. Andrew was assigned to Machine Gun Company 12, Reinforcement 4 whilst James & Harold were assigned to Machine Gun Company 7, Reinforcement 4. All 3 embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board RMS Orontes on 16 August 1916. A photo of these men is displayed in a photographic memorial at the Wooroolin Memorial Hall titled “For King and Country - Wooroolin Volunteers 1914 – 1916”.
The army files of Andrew Campbell tell us that he stood 5 feet 10 inches in his socks and had a medium complexion with dark hair and blue eyes. His denomination was Church of England and his distinguishing features were 1 Vac left, scars right forearm and right shin. He required Dental treatment. Andrew gave his brother Archibald as NOK. Archibald was living at 9 Crown Circus Road, Glasgow, Scotland but his address changes several times over the years including Paisley and Oxton, Birkenhead. His sister was given as NOK for a while as Mrs J Forsyth, 6 Clarendon gardens, Maida Vale.
In June 1917 Andrew was serving in France where he was gassed. Young Christian Jessen and Edgar Postle other Wooroolin men died within days of Andrew’s wounding in action. Andrew was transferred to hospital at Boulogne for 2 weeks then re-joined his unit. At the end of Sep 1917 Andrew was wounded for a second time - Bomb wounds to back and right thigh, severe. He was admitted to Etable hospital then shipped to the London War Hospital at Epson. 6 weeks later he was given furlough and reported back to duty at end of Nov 1917.
Two reports in his army file state:
• G.S.W. Sep 1917 six months in England – Entrance just above sacrum slightly to left - F.B. still in – some pain just over left – posteriorly – especially with packs up on route march.
• Piece of shrapnel still in – wishes it removed – 17-9-17 17 A.G.H. advises no operation – no disability in ordinary exercises – Sgt. A Campbell.
Andrew was sent back to France in Mar 1918 where he stayed until Feb 1919 when he was granted leave in UK. Andrew returned to Australia on board the Ulysses in Jul 1919 and discharged from the AIF in Nov 1919 in Brisbane.
The electoral rolls show Andrew at West Brae Farm, Wooroolin until 1921 after that I have not been able to find him – there are many Andrew Campbell’s!
Andrew Campbell is listed on the Kingaroy Honour Board and is included on the ANZAC War Heroes website of the South Burnett Council as well as the Wooroolin WW1 Honour Board.
Lest We forget.