Campbell, John Michael
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | John Michael |
Surname | Campbell |
Gender | M |
Age | 30 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 29-03-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Bernard and Alberta Annie Campbell. Husband of Vera Elma Margaret Campbell, of Golders Green, Middlesex. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling III |
Serial Number | BK716 |
Markings | HA-J |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 123. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 140 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 122910 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 218 (Gold Coast) |
Trade | WOp/AG |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | St. Mary's Church, Bexwell, Norfolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Tablet |
Memorial Text | In memory of the squadrons based at R.A.F. Downham Market and those who have their lives during the 1939 - 1945 war |
Location | All Saints Church, Chedburgh, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | RoH and Sqn Crest |
Memorial Text | Roll of Honour and scroll remembering the members of the Royal and Polish Air Forces who served at RAF Chedburgh 1942 - 1946 |
Miscellaneous Information
A small wooden elephant was found during the excavation, this being the mascot of 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron owing to the Gold Coast flag also depicting an elephant. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1351/6 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1351/5 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 29-03-1943 |
End Date | 30-03-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Downham Market |
Day/Night Raid | Night (40% moon) |
Operation | Berlin. 329 aircraft, 21 losses (6.4%). Poor weather conditions with significant icing problems. PFF marking was inaccurate and the main force arrived late and bombing was largely ineffective |
Reason for Loss | At the time, lost without trace. However, this aircraft has recently been excavated from Lake Markermeer, near Amsterdam by the Dutch authorities and with it the remains of all seven of the crew. These were re-interred in Jonkerbos Cemetery on 28 September 2022 in a joint grave. The stone reads 'Airmen of the 1939-1945 War 29th-30th March 1943. Members of the crew of Stirling BK716 Royal Air Force. Known Unto God'. Because the individual remains could not be identified, they will continue to be commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. |