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Research in Other Countries => Canada => Canada Lookup Request => Topic started by: luciacw on Thursday 06 August 20 18:56 BST (UK)
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Dear all,
I'm currently researching Battle of Britain pilot, Norman Neil Campbell who was from St Thomas, Ontario and born c.1913. I've had a search of the various genealogical databases but don't have subscription access so I wonder if anyone would be kind enough to have a look for me?
Cheers
Lucia
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Hello luciacw,
I don't have subs either, but newspaper notice, photos and grave location freely available here:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/112545296/norman-neil-campbell (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/112545296/norman-neil-campbell)
Several hits for him on Google using search term "Norman Neil Campbell" + "St. Thomas".
Cheers,
Westoe
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http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/CampbellNN.htm
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Brother Robert Kains Campbell, born August 6, 1914, Myrtle Street, St. Thomas, son of Alexander John Campbell, engineer, and Isabel Travers. Delivered by Dr. R. Kains after whom he was likely named.
Brother Dougald Alexander Campbell, born June 22, 1905, 2 Woodworth Avenue, St. Thomas
Brother Edward A. Campbell, born December 26, 1906, 2 Woodsworth Avenue, St. Thomas
Brother John Leslie Campbell, born October 23, 1912, 70 Myrtle Street, St. Thomas
Given the births of John & Robert 22 months apart, it might have been difficult to sneak another one in there, so Norman likely born in 1915 and those records are not yet online.
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1921 Census indexed as Cambell has the family with Neil aged 5
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Also this...from Toronto Star, Oct 18 1940
I know most records say his mother was Isabel Gravers...I think it is Travers. She is referred to as Mrs I T Campbell here. See birth info for the brother posted by eileen above.
RK
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1921 Census indexed as Cambell has the family with Neil aged 5
Here is the image of the census record
https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=Census1921&op=img&id=e002922133
There are no more Campbell kids on the following page - just a lodger, James Urquhart.
RK
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Brother Dougald also died in WW2
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/2265272
RK
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Mother's surname is definitely Travers...
marriage (free on familysearch) of Isabel Travers to Alexander J Campbell in Southwold, Elgin on 25 Aug 1904.
Also - looking at the birth records eileenwilson posted earlier for the other brothers, Dougald's marriage, Edward and John's deaths ..mother is listed as Isabel Travers (not "Gravers").
RK
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Dear all,
Thank you so much for your help! Funnily enough I'd spotted the newspaper article but hadn't noticed 'Mrs T Campbell' - shows how important attention to detail is. It seems the CWGC had the wrong info. I was hoping I could get a precise date of birth if possible but it's useful to know the information isn't publicly available as yet. I already know getting the precise date of birth is a long shot as I'm sure Kenneth Wynn have looked at plenty of sources for his book on The Few (every so often little tidbits of new information becomes available): https://www.battleofbritainmemorial.org/men-of-the-battle-updates-and-additions/ (https://www.battleofbritainmemorial.org/men-of-the-battle-updates-and-additions/)
Keep up the good work you guys! I got into genealogy from a young age and online communities like this got me inspired. Now I'm in my dream job using genealogy skills on a daily basis in a military museum...anyway I digress...
Would it be cheeky to request another lookup? I have a Manitoba man on my list: James Thomas Johnston: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2361180/JAMES%20THOMAS%20JOHNSTON/
- Lucia
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FIND A GRAVE with bio
15 Aug 1940 Kent, England
BURIAL Hawkinge Cemetery and Crematorium Hawkinge, Shepway District, Kent, England
PLOT Plot O. Row 1. Grave 16.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32379602
Sandra
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The Gazette Montreal, Quebec, Quebec, Canada 19 Aug 1940, Mon - Page 19
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56865042/flying-officerjames-thomas-johnston/
Sandra
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1916 census 679-15 Brandon, Manitoba.
Peter Johnston 52 born Scotland. Imm 1904. Travelling Salesman.
Alice Johnston 45
Isabelle Johnstone 8
Henry G Johnstone 4
James T Johnstone 2
https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=Census1916&op=&img&id=31228_4363954-00765
Sandra
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James Thomas Johnston - 21/2/1914 Brandon.
Mother Alice - maiden name Hawkins.
http://vitalstats.gov.mb.ca/DetailView.php
Sandra
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1921 census Brandon Manitoba
Peter Johnston 58
Alice Johnston 50
Isabella Johnston 13
Henry A Johnston 9
James F Johnston 7
Henry Fletcher 17
https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=Census1921&op=img&id=e002879271
Sandra
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brother Henry Gibson Johnston - 12/11/1911 Brandon Manitoba.
http://vitalstats.gov.mb.ca/DetailView.php
Calgary Herald Calgary, Alberta, Canada 3 Jan 2003, Fri Page 68
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56865153/obituary-for-henry-gibson/
Sandra
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Father Peter Johnston - 22 July 1863 died 15 December 1933 Brandon Manitoba.
Sandra
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Thank you so much, Sandra. Your help is greatly appreciated. I'm definitely bookmarking that Manitoba vital stats website.
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You probably have this from the Brandon Sun, but I will post it anyway - nice picture.
RK
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There is an article from the Brandon Sun in 1950 commemorating the Battle of Britain. It lists 2 Brandon men who lost their lives in the battle - James Thomas Johnston and Douglas Davidson Middleton.
RK
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The Findmypast newspaper collection has a few articles about him (in the Canadian newspapers section). There is another article from August 1940 with a different photo of James - says he flew a Hurricane.
There are also a couple of articles from 1997 by a writer, Fred McGuinness, who knew James (nickname "Swede") when he was young and wanted to find out more. He put out a request for information from others who had known James and his family. Mr McGuinness published his findings in the Brandon Sun, July 10 1997.
In 2005, there is an article talking about the memorial in London to the 3000 pilots and air crew who participated in the Battle of Britain. The article says that 2 came from Westman. It also says that of the 112 Canadians, 13 were from Manitoba. It mentions James Thomas "Swede" Johnston, the 26 year old son of Peter and Alice Johnston of Brandon. It says that there is a James Thomas Johnston lake named after him. It also mentions Flight Lieutenant (later Wing Commander) Mark H "Hilly" Brown of Glenboro - who was with the No 1 RAF Squadron during the Battle of Britain. Looks like he survived that, but was shot down over Sicily in 1941 (with the 249 Squadron).
RK