Private Joseph Campbell
Joseph Campbell was born on 24 September 1898 at Clagan, Tamlaght-finlagan, County Londonderry, the last of eight children of agricultural labourer John Campbell and his wife Ann (née Warke). At the time of the 1901 Census he was living with his family at Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh, and by 1911, at Dromore, Warrenpoint, County Down.
Campbell enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 19 and 28 October 1915 (No.1756). He trained at the regiment's Antrim reserve depot before embarking for France around September 1916. There he was posted to one of the squadrons of the 1st or 2nd North Irish Horse Regiments.
In August-September 1917 the 2nd NIH 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 41446 and posted to C Company.
Campbell was wounded in the left shoulder on 22 or 23 November 1917 in the fighting for the village of Moeuvres during the Battle of Cambrai. The wound was not severe, however, and he was soon able to return to his battalion. Between 4 and 9 January 1918 he was treated for myalgia at the 2nd General Hospital.
Campbell was one of the many posted as missing following the 9th (NIH) Battalion's fighting withdrawal from St Quentin from 21 to 28 March 1918 during the German spring offensive. It was later learned that he had been wounded.
Following his recovery, Campbell was transferred to the Corps of Lancers (No.20027), remaining with that regiment until the end of the war.
On 3 July 1926 he married Annie Ellen McLean.
Two of Campbell's brothers, William and Thomas, also served in the war, in the Royal Irish Rifles. William, serving with the 13th Battalion, was killed in action on the Somme on 1 July 1916.