CAMPBELL, Ronald Keith (1895-1960)Ronald Keith Campbell was enrolled at Geelong College in 1908. He was born at Birregurra, on 12 February 1895, the son of
Archibald George Campbell (1862-1946) and Jessie Mabel nee Armytage.
Campbell enlisted (1324) in the AIF as a Private in 24 Battalion, 6th Infantry Brigade on 2 April 1915, and embarked for Egypt on
HMAT A14 Euripides on 8 May 1915, and returned to Australia on 3 September 1915.
Pegasus reported in 1917:
'Keith Campbell has made a good recovery since his hard experiences in Egypt, and is now at Kingoon, Munbilla, Queensland.' He later served with the CMF during World War II.
His brothers,
Allan Fairbairn Campbell (1897-1916) who was killed in action at Pozieres, and
Ian Armytage Campbell (1899-1983), also attended College. His cousin,
Neil Leslie Campbell (1893-1915) who was killed in action at Helles, also attended Geelong College.
Pegasus in December 1960 published an obituary:
'Keith Campbell died at Southport, Queensland, where he was holidaying, on July 3. A member of a well-known Birregurra District pastoral family, Mr Campbell was very active in public activities, being a member of the Winchelsea Council for many years and Shire President on three occasions. He was a soldier in the First World War, and took a keen interest in RSL activities. Mr Campbell left the College in 1908.' Sources: Based on an edited extract from Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck; p.149 (citing Alexander Henderson, Early Pioneer Families of Victoria and Riverina (1936); Pegasus); Pegasus December 1960 p71.