Original items held by the Army Museum of Western Australia
|
Driver John Morley Campbell
Conflict |
World War 2 |
Service Arm |
Australian Imperial Force |
Unit |
2/28th Infantry Battalion 2/13th Australian Transport Platoon |
Service No. |
WX6075 |
Service Arm |
Army |
Date of Birth |
28 Mar 1917 |
Birthplace |
Perth, WA |
Residence |
Perth, WA |
Date of Death |
7 Jan 1986 |
Relatives |
Father - Harold Charles Campbell Mother - Edith May Morley |
John enlisted on 30th July 1940 and after training at Blackboy Hill, embarked for the Middle East. He arrived in Egypt on 2 February 1941 and then the 2/28th Infantry Battalion travelled by train to Khassa Camp in Palestine. These photos are from his time in Egypt and Palestine.
the pyramids taken while passing through Cairo
George Smith, Syd Leau, Tich Herbert, Shep, myself, George Heyer and Bear Lofthouse taken while on leave in Cairo
one of the pyramids in Cairo
one of the camels which we hired to take us up the hill to the pyramids
George Smith, our guide and myself taken at the pyramids
Mohammed Aly Mosque at the Citadel in Cairo
Zoological Gardens in Cairo
an open working water wheel on the Sweet Water Canal
two horse garry near Cairo
taken outside our hotel in Cairo; Pinky White, Roy Hancock, myself, Syd Lau, Ben Lofthouse, George Smith and Shep
swimming pool at Gezira Club in Cairo
Kantara; getting my money changed from Palestinian to Egyptian currency
taking a trip up the Nile
the doors of the Cairo Dam
a bauage(dam)across the River Nile
me on the Alexandria waterfront
Egyptian policeman on point duty in Alexandria
Pack House Hotel in Alexandria
the Green Church in Heliopolis
Palace Hotel in Heliopolis; one of the war hospitals
statue in a public garden in Heliopolis
Basilique with AIF HQ in the background
me onthe steps of the Officers Mess in Heliopolis
Baron Compais's Palace in Heliopolis
a street along the Suez Canal
an Egyptian light control traffic policeman in Port Tewfik
the Arab quarter in Port Suez
taken on arrival at Port Suez after 360 mile trip from Juilis Camp in Palestine
Brigadier Strutt and his batman(Chook Farrell)
Ford V8 De Supe used while I was driving for Major Harrison in Palestine
Chook Farrell and myself at Port Suez
a Humber pool car I was driving for a while at Gaza
Hama Square with a waterwheel
In March 1941, the 2/28th Battalion travelled from Palestine to Libya and joined in the defence of the area near Tobruk. The German-Italian Army pushed them back into the town of Tobruk and they were under siege from 10th April, 1941 until the end of September. They earned the nickname 'The Rats of Tobruk'.
The 2/28th Battalion was evacuated on 23rd September to Alexandria and then Palestine for training and rest. John went on leave and explored Jericho and other nearby areas.
On 10th July 1942, the 2/28th was sent to El Alamein in Egypt for four months before returning to Australia in January 1943.
Attestation and service record.