Colin Campbell
Captain Colin Campbell spent some time on 9 March 2005 talking to 15 local children about his experiences of World War II.
When war broke out he was working in an iron mine in Cumberland. At 21 he joined the army, and was with them for six years, spending four and a half years stationed in Burma.
He encountered bombings and being shot at, suffered Malaria, suspected rabies from being bitten by Afghan Wolfhounds, and to his audience's amusement, Dysentery while on leave. He told stories of wild peacocks, crocodiles, and of trying to shoot a turtle. Unfortunately the bullet ricocheted off the turtle and whistled back past Capt. Campbell's ear!
He also recounted the story of a colleague who fell down a slope while fishing, and when help got to him the man was dead. He was rolled over to find bite marks on his face, and a deadly Krite snake crawling out from under him.
Pictured here is Colin Campbell with a photograph of himself and his wife Diana, who served in the WRNS with the Chief of Staff in Washington
After many varied questions from the children, Capt Campbell showed the children the medals he received, and poignantly told everyone of the inscription on the memorial to the Burma campaign in Kohima. It reads:
When you go home
Tell them of us and say
"For your tomorrow
We gave our today"
Report by Emma Langley
© Priory Road Residents 2005