| Francis Campbell was the son of Hugh and Mary Campbell. Hugh Campbell and Mary Haugh / Hawe were married on 13th November 1878 in the district of Cookstown. (GRONI Ref M/1878/L1/2533/3/59)
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| Francis Campbell was born on 23rd March 1892 in Stewartstown, He was the second youngest of fourteen children, eight surviving.
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| Known family: Hugh Campbell, Mary Campbell, Ellen Campbell (born 28th October 1879), Mary Martha Campbell (born 6th August 1881), Charles Campbell (born 3rd April 1883, died 14th May 1883), Bridget Campbell (born 3rd June 1884), Hugh Campbell (born 20th September 1885), Margaret J Campbell (born 10th July 1887), Charles Campbell (born 15th May 1889), Sarah E Campbell (born 24th September 1890), Francis Campbell (born 23rd March 1892), Samuel John Campbell (born 20th May 1894).
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| The 1901 census records that the family the family were living at Sherrygroom near Stewartstown Co Tyrone. Francis was 8 years old. He was still at school. His father was not listed as living with the family, but his mother was still listed as married. Francis elder sisters all worked as 'weavers of tape'.
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| The 1911 census shows the family had moved to Laganvale Street in Belfast. Francis was 17 years old and worked as a general labourer. His mother was a widow.
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| Frank Campbell enlisted in Belfast.
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| Private arrived in France on 5th October 1915.
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| Rifleman Frank Campbell was serving with the 15th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action in France on 9th April 1918.
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| From the Belfast Evening Telegraph dated 17 December 1917:
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| Official intimation has been received by Mrs Campbell, 9 Laganvale Street, Belfast, that one of her three soldier sons, Rifleman Charles Campbell, Royal Irish Rifles was killed on 22 November 1917. His other two brothers, Hugh and Francis, are also serving with the Rifles, the former having been gassed. All the boys belong to the South Belfast Regiment U.V.F.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 22nd June 1918: Rifleman Francis Campbell
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| The death is announced today of the above, due to one of those accidents which are unavoidable where large numbers of men are in daily contact with weapons and explosives. The deceased is the second of the family who has died in the service of King and country, his brother being killed on active service last year. A third brother has been in the ranks since the outbreak of war and has so far escaped. They are brothers of Mrs Anderson, Drapersfield, Cookstown and their mother lives in Laganvale Street, Belfast. Rev R Watson, chaplain with the Rifles, writing to Mrs Campbell says:-
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| It is with the greatest regret I have to inform you of an accident which happened your son Frank, and which resulted in his death on Wednesday 10th April. He was up in the front line inside a shelter there. A comrade who was coming off patrol leaned his rifle against the outside of the shelter and it accidently went off and killed your poor boy instantaneously. An inquiry was made immediately into the accident, and it was discovered that the rifle had a defective safety catch, which was the cause of it going off. Everybody come the commanding officer downwards is greatly shocked by the accident, and join me in expressing their sympathy to you. I did not know the boy personally, for I have been transferred to his Battalion only a few days, but all his friends are genuinely sorry to lose a good comrade. We buried the poor lad with all Christian honours, and he sleeps beside several other British soldiers, and over his grave we have erected a nice cross, made by the boys of his own Battalion, with a suitable inscription upon it.
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| I can only express to you my deepest sympathy in losing your boy, and pray to the Almighty for comfort and healing for those who mourn his loss. Such lads as yours are the only protection for the home folk against German aggression and brutality, and when they fall in the performance of their duty, be assured God awards them abundantly.
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| If you think there is anything more you would like to know, or anything you would like me to do, please write to me and I will do my best to help you. May God console and bless you. Believe me, yours sincerely, (Rev) R Watson, C.F.
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| Frank's brother, Rifleman Charles Campbell (14160), served with the Royal Irish Rifles and also died in the war.
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| Last Will and Testament of Frank Campbell:
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In the event of my death, I leave my effects to Mrs Mary Campbell, 9 Laganvale Street, Stranmillis Road, Belfast. 27thJune 1916. F Campbell No 19422. Royal Irish Rifles. Private.
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| Another brother, Hugh Campbell (594), also served with the Royal Irish Rifles and survived the War despite being gassed. He later married Elizabeth Murray from Drapersfield, Cookstown.
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| Rifleman Frank Campbell is commemorated in Cement House cemetery, which is located north of the town of Ypres.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 25th November 1939: Remembrance Day - Stewartstown
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| In loving memory of my dear brothers, Charles and Frank Campbell, 10th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (South Belfast Volunteers), killed in action 1917. In fond remembrance by their sister and brother-in-law, Ellen and W J McVey.
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| A family story has it that Hugh was removed from the trenches as his brothers had been killed in the War. Hugh's Service papers show that he was transferred to the Home Battalion on 'compassionate grounds' in June 1918, shortly after Frank was killed.
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| All the information provided here is courtesy of the excellent research undertaken by Mr Eddie Kelso.
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