Captain WilliamJohn Campbell
(By the Regimental Secretary)
Bill Campbell, who died on October 6th, aged 80, had what could be described as a “text-book career”; rising through the ranks to Warrant-Officer Class 1 (WO1) having seen Active Service and undertaking all the key appointments in a Provost Company before gaining the Queen’s Commission. Born in 1935, Bill enlisted in 1953, was trained at Inkerman Barracks Woking with Squad 356 and went on to see Active Service in Korea, Malaya and Northern Ireland. On completion of training, where he won the Provost Marshal's Gold Whistle and Chain as the Best Recruit, Bill served initially in 160 Provost Company (then based in Bulford) before a 10-month tour on Active Service with 1 Commonwealth Division Provost Company in Korea, followed by an all too short sojourn in Japan before a two-year posting to Malaya during a critical period of the Emergency. Subsequent postings to 170 Provost Company in Glasgow and as a Corporal then Sergeant Instructor at Woking followed, before he returned to 200 Provost Company in Singapore as its Chief Clerk. He also returned to instructional duties in the UK in 1964, seeing service at the new Depot and Training Establishment (D&TE) at Chichester. A tour with 1st (British) Corps Provost Company (also known as “1st Brush Corps Pro Coy”) as the Company Quarter-Master Sergeant (CQMS) proceeded his promotion to Warrant Officer Class 2. He then served as the Company Sergeant-Major with 5 (Airportable) Brigade Provost Unit from 1969 to 1971, interrupted by an Emergency Tour reinforcing 173 Provost Company in Belfast as the Army’s support to the Civil Power in Northern Ireland was escalated very, very rapidly. He then moved on -promotion to 150 Provost Company in Catterick, where he had the honour of commanding the RMP NCOs providing ceremonial support during HM The Queen’s visit to York Minster where she graciously dispensed Maundy Money(see photo – Bill (as a WO1) is on the right saluting),a role not too dissimilar to the one he would undertake in 1978 in the rank of Captain. He then served with 111 Provost Company in Hohne as RSM before attaining a Commission in December 1974. As an Acting-Captain, he became the Permanent Staff Officer (PSO) at 253 Provost Company (Volunteers) at Tulse Hill in Brixton and thence on to a PSO appointment with Central Volunteer Headquarters (CVHQ) RMP at Chichester. In 1978, he was selected to command the Guard-of-Honour, (again see photo – Bill commanding the Guard-of-Honour) when HM The Queen departed Roussillon Barracks, Chichester, escorted by the Mounted Troop, having completed her first visit to the Corps as its Colonel-in-Chief. In 1979, Bill transferred to The Royal Regiment of Artillery and was appointed as the Permanent Staff Administrative Officer (PSAO) for 209 Battery,103 (Air Defence) Regiment,Royal Artillery (Volunteers) (RA(V)) based at Belle Vue in Manchester and later with 216 Battery in Bolton, until he retired in 1996, having completed no fewer than 43-years military Service. His son Rod served with 116 Pro Coy (V) before commencing his Regular Service. His funeral was held in Southport on October 16th.