Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare and outstanding Second World War North-West Europe operations M.M. and Bar group of five awarded to Lance-Sergeant G. Campbell, King’s Own Scottish Borderers: at the hotly contested crossing of the Escaut Canal in September 1944, an 88mm. shell exploded immediately beside him, the blast of which shook him badly and left him in a dazed condition for some time: nonetheless he refused to be evacuated and soon distinguished himself again, advancing in his ‘Kangaroo’ armoured personnel carrier at Goch in February 1945, where he changed the tide of battle and was recommended for an immediate D.C.M.

Military Medal, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar (3187057 L. Sjt. G. Campbell, K.O.S.B.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, one or two edge bruises, otherwise good very fine (5) £4000-5000

M.M. London Gazette 1 March 1945. The original recommendation - for an immediate award - states:

‘During the assault crossing of the Escaut Canal on 15 September 1944, and the occupation of the bridgehead position north of Gheel on 15-18 September 1944, this N.C.O. was commanding a platoon of one of the forward companies. His platoon was one of the first to cross the Canal and as such was subjected to intense machine-gun, artillery and mortar fire both during the crossing and during the occupation of a position immediately on the other side. In the course of this part of the operation, Sergeant Campbell displayed complete coolness and indifference to personal danger, thus setting an example which had a very steadying effect on the remainder of his platoon.

The platoon position was eventually consolidated but on the evening of 16 September 1944, a determined counter-attack by a strong enemy force was put in. Sergeant Campbell continued to command his platoon with the same skill and resolution as before and by carefully directing the fire of the platoon and co-ordinating its defences, succeeded in killing a large number of the advancing enemy.

During the engagement a 88mm. shell exploded immediately beside this N.C.O., the blast of which shook him badly and left him in a dazed condition for some time. In spite of this he refused to be evacuated and, though obviously suffering considerably from the effect of the blast, continued in command of his platoon until the counter-attack was successfully broken up. When the position was restored, he again refused to be evacuated and remained with his platoon until it was relieved on 18 September 1944.

The personal example which he set undoubtedly succeeded in rallying the spirits of the Platoon at a time when they were most gravely threatened by the counter-attack and caused them to redouble their efforts to beat off the enemy, which they eventually succeeded in doing.’

Bar to M.M. London Gazette 10 May 1945. The original recommendation - for an immediate award of the D.C.M. - states:

‘On the night of 18 February 1945, ‘D’ Company, 6th K.O.S.B., was given the task of leading the Battalion in a night attack on Goch. Sergeant Campbell was Platoon Sergeant of No. 16 Platoon which assaulted and crossed the anti-tank ditch in ‘Kangaroos’. The enemy offered fierce opposition to this advance and reacted strongly with fire from M.M.Gs, bazookas and 75mm. guns, obtaining a direct hit on the leading ‘Kangaroo’ and wounding the Platoon Commander and several others.

The Platoon was considerably shaken and became dispersed in the darkness, but Sergeant Campbell, disregarding the enemy fire and without thought for his personal safety, rallied them into a fighting force and gave orders for the attack. He then led the Platoon against fierce opposition towards their objective and, through his unremitting efforts, kept his men together and on the correct axis.

Having crossed a belt of open ground and cleared the enemy from this area, he then advanced further and established a firm base in the outskirts of the town.

The great initiative, coolness and personal bravery shown by this N.C.O. enabled his company to establish a firm bridgehead across an anti-tank ditch and ensured the complete success of the Battalion attack.’

The ‘Kangaroo’ - as used by Campbell and his comrades in the assault on Goch in February 1945 -was a Canadian-inspired armoured personnel carrier (A.P.C.), created by conversion of a tank chassis.

George Inglis Campbell came ashore at Normandy with the 6th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, a component of 15th (Scottish) Division, in June 1944. Quickly deployed in support of Operation “Epsom”, the Battalion remained in the thick of the action throughout 15th Division’s journey through North-West Europe, from the crossing of the Seine in late August 1944 up until the May 1945, when it reached the shores of the Baltic. Campbell’s battalion suffered 1270 casualties in the same period; sold with an original portrait photograph and copied research.