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Gillian Lorne Campbell, from Bromley, Kent joined the RAFVR as an Airman u/t Pilot and was called up on 1st September 1939. On completion of training he was commissioned and joined 236 Squadron on 5th August 1940.
On the 20th his Blenheim was damaged by anti-aircraft fire over Pembroke Dock but he returned safely to St Eval.
In 1941 Campbell was with 272 Squadron flying Beaufighters. On July 24th he claimed two Ju87’s destroyed over a convoy near Sicily, one in flames. He was awarded the DFC (gazetted 30th January 1942). He was still with 272 in Malta in March 1942 but at some point subsequently was posted to Boscombe Down for flight testing.
He was killed on December 23rd when flying Spitfire Mk. 9 BS139 on trials with a 30 gallon overload tank to determine performance at high altitude. The accident report said:
44 minutes after take-off the aircraft was heard descending to the south-west. It impacted at Cadbury Farm, Mottisfont, Hampshire in dense fog.
Campbell was 22, the son of Sir Edward and Lady Campbell of Bromley Kent and is buried in Durrington Cemetery, Wiltshire - Grave 758.
Ref
Battle of Britain Monument London
CWGC
