John Campbell (b. 1880); Spouse - Annie (Murphy) Campbell

[jjmcharg]

I'm trying to fill in some holes in my family tree, specifically, my Great Grandfather John Campbell, born 1880; siblings - Anna (b. 1876) and Mary (b.1878); married to Annie (Murphy) Campbell (b. Ireland). He spent most of his life in the Edinburgh/Midlothian area. I know he served in the Boer War and WW1 (mostly Mediterranean Theatre) - I believe he was a piper. He passed away in Glasgow, 1970. He had one daughter in 1914 - Caroline - my Grandmother, who married Francis Paul McGraw. I have no information on any other children of John and Annie.

His father, my 2x Grandfather Robert Campbell: Born 1848, served in 71st Regiment of Foot and married Carlotta Ocelle (b. 1851) in Gibraltar - 30 August, 1872. Robert was a Sgt. in the 71st (which was then known as the Highland Light Infantry) in 1881.

I'd be glad to share any documentation or information I have.

[ShaunJ]

Just a possibility. 9029 Piper John Campbell, 2nd Highland Light Infantry

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D1685661

[ShaunJ]

ebook "The Pipes of War" by Sir Bruce Seton and John Grant. It records that 9029 Piper J Campbell was wounded 2/11/1914:

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/51016/51016-0.txt

[Rosinish]

Although John spent most of his life in Edinburgh...where was he born?

Sometimes newspaper articles relate to place of birth rather than where a person lived.

Do you have any info. on siblings Anna & Mary?

Have you found any of them on 1881/1891/1901/1911 census records?

Annie

[jjmcharg]

Once again, Shaun - I sincerely appreciate your input. I've tried looking through census docs, and have located John in 1881 and 1901 in Edinburgh, with his siblings Anna (1876 - in Malta) and Mary (1878) - but I believe he married Annie (Murphy) in 1910, and I can't locate any 1911 info. It's possible he married in Ireland, because Annie was from Ireland, possibly Antrim area and may have been born in 1879. I seem to recall being told that John was born in Ireland too (his father was stationed there for a while), but without any documentation, I'm shooting in the dark.

I'm sure John Campbell was a piper though, and I remember him telling my brother he'd make a good piper because he had good teeth..haha. He was wounded also (thankfully, because so many pipers were killed), so the information you provided fits well. Looks like I was correct on the regiment - but had the battalion wrong. The puzzle is coming together.

I owe you a debt of gratitude.
Jim

[jjmcharg]

Shaun - update: after a little more digging, I found the timeline for the 71st Regt./HLI, and Sgt. Robert Campbell, and it's very doubtful that John Campbell could have born in Ireland as I first assumed. He would have been born in Glasgow, Lanarkshire. His father Robert was in England & Scotland between 1880 and 1883 - then he was stationed in Dublin and then Belfast. Prior to that, he was in Gibraltar and Malta from about 1868. I wish my granny hadn't burned all the paperwork when my Great Grandfather passed on... this would be so much easier. (Shakes fist at granny ).

keep smiling
Jim

[ShaunJ]

You need to check the 1881 census image on Scotlands People. According to transcriptions, John Campbell was born in Edinburgh circa June 1880.

[jjmcharg]

Shaun - yes, thank you. I did that and confirmed his birth in Edinburgh. He has been a mystery for so many years and now I'm able to make a (slim) record of his life and acknowledge his bravery and his service. I'll keep working on his wife Annie - such a common name in Ireland - and without documents, a birth date (I'm guessing at least 1880 +/- 2) or specific place, or name of any relatives other than her marriage to John in 1910 in Scotland, that's going to be a little more difficult. I don't mind - it's a labour of love But what you have done for me means a great deal. I appreciate your incredible efforts, my friend.

keep smiling
Jim

[Rosinish]

I believe he married Annie (Murphy) in 1910, and I can't locate any 1911 info. It's possible he married in Ireland

Hi Jim,

There is a marriage for a John Campbell & Annie Murphy in Lanark (County) 1910 which you can download on www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk (Pay-per-view site) at a cost of £7 BP per 30 credits @ 23p each & this marriage will cost 6 credits altogether.

It will name both their parents including both mothers maiden names.

Annie