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4.0
‘Perhaps no other private soldier has received such attention on his death.’
Alec Campbell was sixteen years old when he signed up to fight in World War I. He looks much younger than the eighteen years he claimed to be in the photograph taken of him in his uniform. Alec Campbell was a water carrier at Gallipoli. After six weeks he succumbed to illness and was evacuated to Cairo. Who was this young man, who served at Gallipoli and who lived long enough to become our last living connection with the Australian troops at Gallipoli? What of his life before and after World War I?
Alec Campbell was born in Launceston on the 26th of February 1899. He died in Hobart on 17 May 2002, aged 103. His life represents a century of life in Australia: from just before Federation, through the entire twentieth century and into the twenty-first century.
While I picked up this book expecting it to be focussed on Gallipoli, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the real focus was on Alec’s life and the times in which he lived. For me, this made the book far more interesting and enjoyable. I grew up in Launceston, and recognised many of the places mentioned. I also had a grandfather (also from Launceston) who served at Gallipoli. Different lives, different connections, some common experiences.
Mr King has provided a fairly comprehensive account of Alec Campbell’s life. He has also touched on the importance of Campbell family history in shaping Alec’s desire for service and adventure. But it is Alec Campbell’s life after the war which is of most interest. Alec Campbell spent much of his long life helping others with disabilities, helping them to find work. He was also an active trade unionist, a socialist, a committed republican and became a keen sailor.
Alec Campbell lived a long and productive life. He was, it seems, a most reluctant hero.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Alec Campbell was sixteen years old when he signed up to fight in World War I. He looks much younger than the eighteen years he claimed to be in the photograph taken of him in his uniform. Alec Campbell was a water carrier at Gallipoli. After six weeks he succumbed to illness and was evacuated to Cairo. Who was this young man, who served at Gallipoli and who lived long enough to become our last living connection with the Australian troops at Gallipoli? What of his life before and after World War I?
Alec Campbell was born in Launceston on the 26th of February 1899. He died in Hobart on 17 May 2002, aged 103. His life represents a century of life in Australia: from just before Federation, through the entire twentieth century and into the twenty-first century.
While I picked up this book expecting it to be focussed on Gallipoli, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the real focus was on Alec’s life and the times in which he lived. For me, this made the book far more interesting and enjoyable. I grew up in Launceston, and recognised many of the places mentioned. I also had a grandfather (also from Launceston) who served at Gallipoli. Different lives, different connections, some common experiences.
Mr King has provided a fairly comprehensive account of Alec Campbell’s life. He has also touched on the importance of Campbell family history in shaping Alec’s desire for service and adventure. But it is Alec Campbell’s life after the war which is of most interest. Alec Campbell spent much of his long life helping others with disabilities, helping them to find work. He was also an active trade unionist, a socialist, a committed republican and became a keen sailor.
Alec Campbell lived a long and productive life. He was, it seems, a most reluctant hero.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
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