William Campbell was the son of William and Margaret Campbell. He was born 29th July 1894 in Dungannon. He was the third of five children. By 1911, the family had moved to Belfast where William was 16 years old and working as a barman. William Campbell enlisted in Belfast. Rifleman William Campbell was serving with the 6th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action in Gallipoli on 13 August 1915.
Further Information
William Campbell was the eldest son of William and Margaret Campbell. William Campbell and Margaret McIlkenny were married on 25th October 1889 in the district of Dungannon.
William was born 29th July 1894 in Dungannon. He was the third of five children.
Family: William Campbell, Margaret Campbell, Mary Anne Josephine Campbell (born 20th December 1890, Clogher), Margaret Campbell (born 6th June 1892, Dungannon), William Campbell (born 29th July 1894, Dungannon), Elizabeth Campbell (born 4th April 1897, Dungannon), Edward Patrick Campbell (born 26th September 1899, Dungannon).
The 1901 census records the family living in Barrack Street, Dungannon. William was six years old. William senior was a Car Driver. Margaret was a Carder in Mill.
The 1911 census shows the family had moved to Unity Street, Court, Belfast. (Unity Street was in the vicinity of what is now the Cathedral Quarter.) William was 16 years old and working as a barman. His father’s occupation is given as ‘Car Driver Side Car’.
William Campbell enlisted in Belfast.
Rifleman Campbell arrived in the Balkans on 10th July 1915.
Rifleman William Campbell was serving with the 6th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action in Gallipoli on 13 August 1915. He was 21 years old.
Last Will and Testament of Private William Campbell:
Mrs Maggie Darby(?) sister of Private 11159 William Campbell (deceased), 6th Royal Irish Rifles. The deceased soldier, Private 11159 William Campbell, 6th Royal Irish Rifles, when at home in December 1914, stated in my presence and at the presence of my mother, Mrs Margaret Campbell, 95 Walbeck Street, and sister Mary Ann Anderson, 29 Walbeck Street, “If anything happens to me, all is to go to my mother”. Maggie Darby (her mark). Confirmed by Alec Wilson, J.P. Co. Down 6 Feb 1917.
Statement by Mrs Mary Anderson 28 Walbeck Street, Belfast
The late soldier was home on furlough for the last time at Christmas 1914 for about 7 days. It was awning? this time that he stated his intentions regarding his effects, but I cannot quote the exact date. He was at home in 28 Walbeck Street when the statement was made. The statement he used was as follows, as nearly as my memory saves me – “If anything happens to me, I wish all to go to my mother”. My sister, Mrs Darby, 28 Walbeck Street, was present and heard the conversation. My mother was also present herself. Mary Anderson 2 February 1917. Signed in the presence of Alec Wilson JP County Down, 29 Wellington Place, Belfast.
Rifleman William Campbell has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial at Gallipoli in Turkey.
The CWGC records Rifleman William Campbell as the son of William and Margaret Campbell, of 28 Walbeck Street, Antrim Road, Belfast.
