Memories of War: Benjamin & Helen Campbell
In late January, I was approached by the Blackville Women’s Institute and asked to participate in their Heritage Day celebrations. Heritage Week is celebrated in communities throughout New Brunswick each year. This years theme was New Brunswick Remembers: 1914-2014, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War and the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War.
As part of the celebrations, I filmed video of local veterans and their children sharing stories of war and the impact it had on their lives and the lives of their families.
Over the next several weeks we’ll be posting video from the Memories of War series. In the first video, Helen Jardine shares memories of her father’s sacrifices and how it affected the Campbell family.
Benjamin Campbell was born on October 7, 1913 in Upper Blackville. He joined the North Shore Regiment in June of 1940. Corporal Campbell was involved in the first invasive force that stormed the beaches of Normandy. He was wounded. After recovering, he continued with the regiment through France, Holland and Belgium. He commanded a small group of soldiers who took possession of an island in the River Rhine. This was a decisive victory. He was presented with many medals.
In April, 1942 he married Helen White of Scotland, and returned with her to Canada in 1946. Leaving her family, friends and lifestyle behind, Mrs. Campbell embarked in a new life in rural New Brunswick and became a devoted mother to six children. Watch their story below.
Thanks for sharing Helen. So important to remember those who fought for us to have a better life also the traumatic effects it had on the soldiers and their families. I never knew you were named after your mom. Sending you love.
Dear Ms. Jardine, My grandfather is from Upper Blackville, New Brunswick. He grew up in a small house very close to the river now known as the Miramichi. (i probably spelled that wrong). anyway, his name was Leigh Douglas Campbell, son of Charles Campbell. I notice that Charles was in the war also. I am wondering if you are related to these Campbells?
Answer if you have the time. Thank you, Sincerely Teresa Snyder
Teresa, this is Bobby Campbell,Leigh was my uncle, my dad was Glen….we are related to Ms.Jardine.I think Charles and Ben was brothers…( not sure about that)..
Dear Bobby,
Thank you for your reply; so sorry that it took so very long for me to see it. I just received an update from someone else on my email, but never received the note from you. Leigh was my step-grandfather but he was and always treated us as his own children and grandchildren. He married my grandmother who had eight children!! I so admire and respect and have so much gratitude for him for that. He was truly a wonderful person. I don’t know any man who would marry a woman with that many children!! My cousin and I visited when your grandmother passed back in the ‘90’s. Was your father the pastor? We actually located him and had dinner with him and dinner with him and his wife. He took us to the old homestead and showed us the property all the way back where it crossed the highway. We are the one’s that ended up with Leigh’s share of the property. I spoke to one of the relatives (maybe a cousin), he asked to put a trail through our property in order to take lumber through. Of course we said yes. We haven’t been there since the property was divided. So glad that you sent a message. Hope you’re doing well. Sincerely, Teresa
What a wonderful story, Helen. They were all so brave and help certainly wasn’t available after their retun.
This is very nice love watching this kind of stuff
Very interesting, having served in the military for many years, I understand and appreciate all that he and his family endured.
Good reporting, Les, Congrats !!
Percy, my father & your father were cousins. My father was Norman Conners. You can reach me @. memadebbie@hotmail.ca.
Really enjoyed Helen’s recollections. What a great idea. It will make history real for young people.
Loved hearing this story… Edith you look like your mom!! Beautiful lady!! Helen you did a lovely job, thanks for sharing!!
Very interesting! Helen, you did a great job!! Very easy to listen to!!
My mom and dad….They lived through some tough times so we could have a better life…. so enjoy…
It was a beautiful tribute
Very nice! I enjoyed it
Wow she looked a lot like Edith.
Sissy was born in Scotland and came to Canada when she was 2…. She did a great job….
Great job, Helen sure makes it easier to understand what our fathers had to deal with.
My wonderful mother speaks of her family and the effects of the war. … Great video work Les McLaughlin!! Tks much for this wonderful keepsake!!
Thank you so much for sharing.
Yes Edith we all know first hand what you are saying ,with out their deep love & concern where would we be today .I am sure I have disappointed them a lot ,but glad to know that they forgave me a lot as well .
Thank you for this. Just watched it with our granddaughters and it lead to an interesting little discussion about the trauma our military faces. Their uncle, Trevor, currently serves and they have a deep concern for what we ask of our military. Also, it lead to a nice little discussion about their great-grandmother’s birthplace (Gerry’s mother) – Milngavie, Scotland. Small world gets smaller still!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Next week, George Routledge shares his memories of being a Peacekeeper serving in Cyprus.