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From: steve becker
Date: 12/5/2001
Time: 7:07:03 PM
Remote Name: 144.138.81.248
Helen,
I am doing the history of the Camel Brigade and can give you this information on their deaths.
The Campbell brothers were in the LMG (light machine gun) section of 17 company 4th Anzac Bn ICC, Stan was No1 on a Lewis Gun and Norm was his No2.
On the morning of the 30th March 1918 their Battalion with the NZ Mounted Brigade attacked Hill 3039 over running a number of trenchers and capturing over 23 prisoners and five MG's.
About 9 am a force of over 500 turks counter attacked and during a mix up the NZ mounted and the Camel companies retired from their trenchers, this was soon known the the Kiwis and cameliers attacked and recaptured their position. During this attack the Campbell brothers stood their ground against the Turks till Stan was shot down, Norm took his place on the gun but was quickly shot also falling across his brothers body. They were found together soon after and buried behind the lines later that day.
I have details of their burial as they were later reinturned at Damascus Cemetery.
The brothers were a small part of the Battalion's losses that day as they suffered 31 Killed and 123 Wounded with six of those dieding of wounds.