JOSEPH WILLIAM CAMPBELL
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Born: 1919, Shepherd’s Bush, London.
Died: 1st July 1944; age: 24; killed when the aircraft was hit by flak.
Residence: ‘St. Columba’ 95, Colchester Road, Ipswich.
Based at: Foggia Main, Italy.
Rank: Flying Officer/Air Bomber; Service Number: 136820.
Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 40 Squadron.
Grave Reference:
9A.A.7.
Serbia.
Relatives Notified & Address: Second son of Joseph Augustin & Daisy Campbell; husband of Elaine May Campbell, of Ipswich.
Father: Joseph Augustin Campbell, born May 1890, Ware, Hertfordshire. A Senior School Master/Commissioned Officer with Warrant Rank for the Royal Navy.
Mother: Daisy Emily Campbell (nee Lewis), born October 1893, Lambeth, Surrey.
CENSUS
1921 near The Barracks, Shotley, Suffolk.
Joseph was 2 years old and lived with his parents and brother.
Joseph Campbell, 31 years & 2 months old, a Royal Navy School Master for the Admiralty.
Daisy Campbell, 27 years & 8 months old, Home Duties.
Robert Alexander Campbell, 3 years & 11 months old, born Shepherd’s Bush.
ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939
Joseph was a Student and lived with his mother and siblings at the family home – 95, Colchester Road, Ipswich.
Daisy Campbell, unpaid Domestic Duties.
Robert Campbell, a Student.
Edward D. Campbell, born 1921, Shotley.
Donald Anthony Campbell, born 1932, Ipswich.
3 others.
Joseph gained a Bachelor of Science.
On the 16th January 1943, at St. Pancras Church, Ipswich, Joseph married Elaine May Stopard, born 1920, Ipswich – daughter of Albert Arthur Stopard, a company director and manager of sand and gravel company, and Beatrice Annie Stopard (nee Monks), of 5, Dalton Road, Ipswich.
20th January 1943 – Evening Star.
IPSWICH PILOT-OFFICER’S WEDDING
Campbell – Stopard
The marriage of Pilot-Officer J.W. Campbell, R.A.F., second son of Mr. J. Campbell, Senior Schoolmaster, R.N., and Mrs. Campbell, of St. Columba, Colchester Road, and Miss Elaine May Stopard, of 5, Dalton Road, Ipswich, was solemnised at St. Pancras Church, Ipswich, by the Very Rev. Canon A. Peacock. A Nuptial Mass followed the marriage service.
The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a gown of white chiffon satin, with a tulle veil and a head-dress of orange blossom. She carried a sheaf of white lilies. Her bridesmaid, Miss Joyce Lee, wore a frock of shell-pink satin, veiled with brown net, with hat to match, and carried a bouquet of pink azaleas.
In the absence of his younger brother, on service, the bridegroom’s eldest brother, Mr. Bob Campbell, was best man. A reception was afterwards held at the Great White Horse Hotel, after which the bride and bridegroom left for London, the bride travelling in a rust frock, with a grey coat and hat and rust accessories.
1st July 1944
Aircraft: Vickers Wellington B.Mk.X; Serial Number: LP497. The aircraft was on an operation to drop two sea mines in the River Danube, near Belgrade, Serbia. About midnight, whilst flying at 50ft towards their dropping point, LP497 was hit by light flak, immediately setting the body of the aircraft into flames. 4 crew members were killed instantly, Kenneth Withnall, the Rear Gunner, was blown clear in his turret and survived. He was captured by the Germans and sent to the mainly American POW camp, Stalag Luft IV, in Gross Tychow, Pomerania.
Crew:
George Stephenson Waddell D.F.C.; Pilot Officer/Pilot; age 21; R.A.F.V.R.
Harry Davison; Flight Sergeant/Navigator; age 21; R.A.F.V.R.
Thomas Charles Hardwick; Flight Sergeant/Wireless Operator/Air Gunner; R.A.F.V.R.
Kenneth Withnall; Sergeant/Rear Gunner; R.A.F.V.R. Survived.
Kenneth’s account of his time as a POW can be found in the book ‘Gardening by Moonlight’ by Peter Kaššák & David Gunby:
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