People Australia

Leslie Drysdale Campbell, n.d. photographerom unknown

from Bank of NSW Roll of Honour

LESLIE DRYSDALE CAMPBELL was born on 17th November, 1895, at Narrabri, New South Wales, the son of Mr. Ernest Vincent Campbell and Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell. He was educated at the District School, Inverell, New South Wales, and he joined the staff of the Bank at the Head Office in January, 1914.

Leslie Drysdale Campbell enlisted on 20th September, 1915, and was allotted to the 13th Battalion. He was afterwards transferred to the 4th Machine Gun Company, and later on in England, to No. 2a Auxiliary Hospital Staff.

He left Australia in December, 1915, for Egypt, and arrived in France in June, 1916. With his battalion he was engaged on various sectors in France and Flanders; fighting at the Battles of Pozieres, Mouquet Farm, Ypres, Guedecourt, Bullecourt and Messines. He was promoted to lance-corporal in July, 1917, and in the following month was wounded near Warneton, the wound causing the loss of his right eye. He was in hospitals at Portsmouth and Southall, England, until he left for Australia in July, 1918.

Just before he left England he attempted to save the life of a boy who fell into the Canal at Southall. For this gallant action he was awarded a certificate of the Royal Humane Society. The certificate states:—“It was resolved unanimously that the Honorary Testimonial of this Society inscribed on parchment be hereby given to Lance-Corporal Leslie Campbell, Australian Imperial Forces, for having on 3rd June, 1918, at personal risk, gallantly attempted to rescue a boy who was unfortunately drowned in the Grand Junction Canal, Southall.”