Background

Ronald Robinson Campbell was born on August 14, 1899 in Marysville, New Brunswick to Alexander Robinson and Celia Robinson. According to records obtained from the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, his parents married one another on May 23, 1863 and together they had a large family of nine children named Roy, Helen, Mary, Florence, John, Ron, Dorothy, Frank, and Moreland. Records reveal the family lived in the Marysville community living on Canada Street; however, Ron’s medal card also points to a residence at 225 Brunswick Street in Fredericton’s downtown. Ron’s service record shows that as a student he attended Fredericton High School and that when war broke out, while his brothers Roy and John enlisted, he was not allowed in because of his age. According to stories from the family, Ron had left school wanting to do his part. When he was rejected for service because he was only 15, he left for Amherst, Nova Scotia, where he served as a guard at a German internment camp. While not legally allowed to serve, Ron was given a white feather as a sign of cowardice. Not surprisingly, family stories suggest that “Ron’s youthful pride was crushed.” After this experience, Ron attempted again for enlistment with the 236th Battalion July 15, 1916 in Fredericton, New Brunswick and this time he was accepted. When news of his enlistment reached his family, Ron’s father rushed to speak with the commanding officer for an explanation. The family was assured that no harm would come to Ron and that he would be given a desk job because of his skills as a writer. His record actually reveals his birthday scratched out and corrected so that he would be allowed into service. Only 15 years old at the time, Ron’s attestation described him as having blue eyes, fair hair, a fresh complexion, and standing about five feet four-and-a-half inches tall. Along with other Fredericton boys from the area, he would join the 236th Battalion and soon began training in Quebec in preparation for going overseas. In May of 1917 Ron wrote his formal will leaving everything he had to his sister, Helen M. Robinson, likely reflecting a close bond they shared as siblings.

Wartime Experience

On October 30, 1917 Private Ronald Campbell Robinson embarked from Montreal, Quebec aboard the S.S. Canada for Seaford, England. Upon arrival Ron remained with the 236th Battalion in England until the summer of 1918. As the war dragged on, Ron stayed in England for five months, perhaps as promised by the military, where he received word that his brother Jack was being discharged and sent home to Canada as a result of injuries. As the need for more men at the front increased, Ron was eventually sent to France in August as a volunteer stretcher-bearer just as Canada and its allies were beginning what became known as the 100 Day Campaign. According his active service records, on August 11, 1918 Ron joined the 42nd Battalion in France arriving just three days after the Battle of Amiens began on August 8. Called by historians, the “grand deception”, the German Army was not fully aware that Canadians had been sent from Arras to Amiens as the sharp end of the assault. The aftermath of the attack would become known as “the black day of the German Army”. As part of this effort, Ron’s skills as a stretcher-bearer would be important as the vicious fighting on both sides would result in thousands of casualties. Over the next few months, the Canadians, French, and British Allies would push the German line back beyond their original trenches and punch a hole through the German army at Canal Du Nord. Throughout this period, Ron would be active with the 42nd Battalion as they pressed towards Cambrai. As divisions pushed forward through towns and villages, the 42nd Battalion, along with the PPCLI, and 49th Battalion entered a small town called Tilloy that stood just northwest of Cambrai. It is here on September 29, 1918, as the 42nd Battalion pressed through this area of the front that Ron was hit by a German sniper while performing his duties, helping those injured and needing assistance. According to family accounts, when the head of the Western Union came to their door to deliver the news of Ron’s death, Ron’s mother, Celia, knew exactly which of her sons she had lost. The family was devasted, a painful feeling of senselessness with the news that their “Ronny” had been killed. Ron was seventeen years old. His older brother Jack would pass away from injuries in 1921.   

Lest We Forget

Ronald Robinson Campbell is buried with honour at Mill Switch British Cemetery in Tilloy-lez-Cambrai, located in Northern, France. According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission he is one of approximately 47 burials there.