Roll of Honour

James or Jim as all his friends knew him was born on a farm near Kilmartin in Argyll, Scotland on July 12th 1923 to Archibald and Mary Campbell. Jim was one of two children and as a family they lived in a quiet and remote yet beautiful part of the Scottish landscape. A short time later, Jim's family moved to a farm in Essex, which was quite a journey and change in environment, especially in those days. It was the rural background that gave Jim a love for the countryside and particularly the wildlife, and this enjoyment continued throughout his life.

At the outbreak of the 2nd World War Jim was still on the farm spending time between the land and The Home Guard. However, in 1941 he enlisted for the Royal Engineers. Subsequently, Jim applied for the Parachute Regiment, because he thought 'it would be more interesting'. It was typical of Jim to understate anything! However, whilst Jim's Unit was posted to North Africa, Jim was held back because of his background as 'an Engineer' for further specialist training that culminated in him parachuting into Normandy in the early hours of 6th June: D-Day. His objective was to destroy the bridges at Bures and Troarn and, despite being dropped in the wrong place the mission was successfully completed. Jim then saw service through France, Belgium and The Rhine crossing. Subsequently Jim was posted overseas to Singapore and Malaya before he returned to the UK and where he met Sheila.

Sheila and Jim married in 1948 and subsequently enjoyed 61 years of happy marriage. They had a family together comprising five children, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. Jim was very much a family man, his pleasure would be in seeing all his family congregate and spend time together, and always with lots of laughter. Jim had loved his Family and had the love of his Family and will always be remembered with fondness and with much love."