Lance Corporal Marcus Campbell

 

Marcus Campbell was born on 30 May 1893 at Fawney, Cumber, County Londonderry, the last of eleven children of farmer Robert Campbell and his wife Sarah Jane (née Stevenson). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Fawney with his parents and three of his seven surviving siblings, and working as a draper.

Campbell enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron in mid- to late-November 1914 (No. UD/161). On 5 October 1915 he embarked for France with his squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division.

In June 1916 the Inniskilling squadron joined with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps until August-September 1917 when the regiment was disbanded and its men, together with some surplus to the needs of the 1st NIH Regiment, were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Campbell, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt five days later. Campbell was issued regimental number 41098.

No information has been discovered about his service with the 9th (NIH) Battalion through the latter part of 1917 and during 1918, but he probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917, and perhaps also during the retreat from St Quentin from 21 to 28 March 1918.

On 24 March 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.

 

Campbell's brother Alexander also served in the war.

 

This page last updated 11 December 2022