WITH THE BLACK WATCH

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2337, 19 December 1914, Page 6

WITH THE BLACK WATCH

NEW ZEALAND OFFICER WOUNDED

STORY OF THE ACTION

It was reported last month that 2nd Lieutenant P. K. Campbell, of the Black Watch, a son of Mrs. Patrick Campbell, who is a sister of Mrs. H. D. Bell, was missing, after being wounded in heavy fighting on September 14. Letters received in Wellington by Mrs. Campbell convey tho welcome news that Lieutenant Campbell, who was seriously wounded in action, had been recovered from the field, and was in hospital, where ho was progressing favourably. His Servant's Tribute. Regarding tho action in which Lieutenant Campbell was wounded, his servant. Private J. M. Small, who also was wounded in tho fight, has written to Mrs. Campbell from tho Ist Scottish Goueral Hospital, Aberdeen, as follows :<— "I am just absolutely delighted to hear the. glad. news, that your son' is not missing as was first reported. I could hardly believe my eyes when I read the nowspapors of 21st, as Lieutenant P. K. was wounded a second time when I' received my wounds, but perhaps I shall bettor explain more fullj. More Llko a Friend. "On Monday, 14th, we advanced to meet the enemy across very open country. We had not gone far when shot and shell were falling amongst us liko hail, men were falling like ninepins. I saw my master' (P.K.) fall, and, of course, I went to his assistance, and he told me to leave him, as the firing was dreadful. Of course, I would not do so, I could not leavo him lying Wounded and bleeding. He was very angry at first, but 1 was angry, too, and I would not leavo him until I had a field dressing on his knee. We then bade each other good-bye and good I luck. He was very grateful to me, and I, of course, was very pleased to do him a good turn, as ho was awfully kind to me; in fact, more like a friond than a master. It was a treat to servo a gentleman like him.

_ "Well, to cut a long story short, I loined . a company .in the frrmg lino again. • Imagine my surprise to see tho bold P.K. coming up into the firing line, and there he remained all that day fighting, with only ono good leg at that. That will show you the stuff that he is made of, sheer grit and determination, only enabled him to do-it. That night we lay together in the trenches (raining all the time). Only 51 of our company answered tho roll call out of 250 men, so you will know how we suffered. Doing Crand Work. "Well, on Tuesday, 15th, we went over the ridge to meet the enemy advancing, and we were doing grand, work, firing as hard as we possibly could at their infantry, and we were winning quite easily, when all at once a perfect fusillade of 6hells dropped right amongst us. Captain Green wisely ordered us to retire to the trenches again. It was at tliis time that your «'U). was shot in the shoulder and second leg,. and almost immediately I was blown iu the air by the explosion of a shell, my nose, ears, and mouth were bleeding, but-otherwise unhurt, I was then making for cover, arid to find out about P.K..,. when I. was hit in tho thigh, two shrapnel bullets entered above tho knee, also, a spent shell struck ,me in tho left side, making mo practically useless. I. could not use ray left arm for about a week afterwards, but it is now almost right. Tomorrow my leg is going to be X-rayed, sild perhaps 1 shall fio under a slight operation to remove the lead, etc.

Black Watch Roll of Honour. "I consider, myself very lucky to get home alive; I suppose everyone will think the same.".Veil, now 1 shall try and give you a list of the officers killed and wounded:—Colonel Grant-Duff, died in- hospital on Monday, September 14; Captain Dalgleish, died of wounds; Lieutenant Wilson, killed (a very great chum of P.K.'s); Lieutenant Poison, killed; Captain Green, C. Company, wounded; Second-Lieutenant Boyd, C Company, wounded; Lieutenant P. K. Campbell, C. .Company, wounded knee •14th, shoulder and leg 15th; Lieutenant' Gumming, wounded; Lord George Stewart Murray, wounded; also Lis brother Lord James (Camorons); Captain H. F. S. Amery, wounded; Lieutenant R. E. Anstruther, wounded; Major J. T. C. Murray, the machine-gun officer; tho transport Lieutenant M'Ray, left m the regiment. Captain Drummond was wounded seriously about a fortnight previous to the 14th and 15th. Lieutenants Don and ■ Holt were also wounded. His Earnest Wish. "Well, now, Madam, I shall have to draw to a conclusion. I'm so vor'y tired and- weak yet. I only hope that your, dear son will soon be home; I'm sure you will be as proud of him as any motber can be of her boy. I only hope I shall have the honour of serving under him again. . "I may_.6tato that I mot Miss Bulloch, a sister of Captain, Bulloch, at Perth station, and made inquiries regarding my master. You see, I was certain ho was sent down to hospital along with myself, so it was scarcely likely that he. could' have-been captured. I suppose he made for Pans by motor, many officers went that way. I was sent down to St'.. Nazairo, via Paris and Le Mans, Nantes,'thence to Southampton. Perhaps when I am well enough I may be permitted to go home for a short while. I had a visit from my wife yesterday. She came 76 miles to see me, would not Temain at home when she heard tbe news' (just like a woman). Howeverj I was just delighted to see her and the bairns. Well, Madam, I shall conclude now, hoping that you will soon 6ee your son, and that ho shall have a speedy-recovery, and be able to serve again in tho samn old 42nd."