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Name: William Charles Campbell Balloon-Buster
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Military Cross (MC) and bar
William Campbell
Country: Scotland
Rank: Captain
Service: Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force
Unit: 1
Victories: 23
Born: 27 April 1889
Place of Birth: Bordeaux, France
Died:
Place of Death:
 
William Charles Campbell joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant (on probation) on 10 August 1916 and posted to 1 Squadron in May 1917. A Nieuport scout pilot, he scored all of his victories in just three months and was the first Royal Flying Corps pilot to shoot down five observation balloons. Wounded in action on 31 July 1917, he returned to England and became an instructor.
 
Military Cross (MC)
2nd Lt. William Charles Campbell, M.C., R.F.C., Spec. Res.
   For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He attacked an enemy balloon, bringing it down in flames, and returned to our lines at about twenty feet from the ground under heavy fire. On another occasion he attacked and dispersed a column of infantry from a very low altitude. He has shown great courage and initiative throughout.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 August 1917 (30234/8361)
 
Military Cross (MC) Bar
2nd Lt. William Charles Campbell, M.C., R.F.C., Spec. Res.
    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has repeatedly shown great fearlessness and skill in attacking and destroying enemy aircraft, on one occasion destroying three within one hour. He has also attacked and dispersed enemy troops from a low altitude, at all times showing the utmost disregard of personal safety.
   (M.C. gazetted in this Gazette.)
Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 August 1917 (30234/8354)
 
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) William Charles Campbell, M.C., R.F.C., Spec. Res.
    For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on numerous occasions whilst on offensive patrols. He has displayed the greatest courage and skill in attacking enemy aircraft at close range, destroying some and driving others down out of control. He has proved himself to be a scout leader of the highest class, and has destroyed twelve hostile machines and two balloons, besides taking part in many other combats during the last three months. By his fearlessness and offensive spirit he has. set a splendid example to all ranks.
DSO citation, 9956 Supplement to the London Gazette, 17 September 1917 (30287/9556)
 
Victories
Date Time Unit Aircraft Opponent Location
1 14 May 1917 1115 1 Nieuport Scout (B1635) C (DES) Polygon Wood
2 19 May 1917 0730 1 Nieuport Scout (A6670) Balloon (DES) Ploegsteert
3 21 May 1917 2000 1 Nieuport Scout (A6670) Albatros D.III (DES) S of Armentières
4 03 Jun 1917 1525 1 Nieuport Scout (B1700) C (DES) Gapaard
5 04 Jun 1917 0745 1 Nieuport Scout (B1700) LVG C (DESF) Handzaeme
6 09 Jun 1917 0825 1 Nieuport Scout (B1700) Albatros D.III (OOC) Oosthoek
7 09 Jun 1917 0830 1 Nieuport Scout (B1700) Albatros D.III (OOC) Oosthoek
8 09 Jun 1917 1400 1 Nieuport Scout (B1700) Albatros D.III (DES) Houthem
9 15 Jun 1917 0845 1 Nieuport Scout (B1700) Halberstadt D (OOC) Becelaere
10 16 Jun 1917 0900 1 Nieuport Scout (B1700) Albatros C (DES) Houthem
11 16 Jun 1917 0910 1 Nieuport Scout (B1700) Albatros C (DES) E of Houthem
12 16 Jun 1917 0940 1 Nieuport Scout (B1700) C (DES) Quesnoy
13 21 Jun 1917 1050 1 Nieuport Scout (B1700) Albatros D.V (OOC) 1 S of Polygon Wood
14 23 Jun 1917 1520 1 Nieuport Scout (B1700) C (OOC) 2 Wulverghem-Houthem
15 16 Jul 1917 1920 1 Nieuport Scout (B3466) Albatros D.V (DES) Poelcapelle
16 16 Jul 1917 1940 1 Nieuport Scout (B3466) Albatros D.V (DES) Zonnebeke
17 16 Jul 1917 1942 1 Nieuport Scout (B3466) Albatros D.V (OOC) Zonnebeke
18 21 Jul 1917 0750 1 Nieuport 17 (B3474) Albatros D.V (DES) N of Polygon Wood
19 21 Jul 1917 0800 1 Nieuport 17 (B3474) Balloon (DES) Wervicq
20 22 Jul 1917 0730 1 Nieuport 17 (B3474) Balloon (DES) W of Lille
21 24 Jul 1917 0800 1 Nieuport 17 (B3474) Albatros D.V (OOC) E of Polygon Wood
22 28 Jul 1917 1350 1 Nieuport 17 (B3474) Balloon (DES) Westroosebeke-Gheluwe
23 28 Jul 1917 1410 1 Nieuport 17 (B3474) Balloon (DES) SE of Houthoulst

1 Shared with Lt T M McFerran (B3495)
2 Shared with Sgt Gordon Olley
 
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