327:'s works in Coventry. This bomb had halted war production in two factories involving over 1,000 workers and evacuation of local residents. He found it to be fitted with a delayed action fuse which was impossible to remove. He decided to remove the bomb to a safe place. This was done by lorry with Second Lieutenant Campbell lying alongside the bomb to enable him to hear if it started ticking so he could warn the driver to escape. Having got it to a safe place he successfully disposed of it. Unfortunately, he was killed the next day whilst dealing with another unexploded bomb.
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The sappers spent almost four days uncovering the bomb which was found to contain a very damaged delayed-action fuse mechanism which could not be removed in situ. Though any electrical charge within the fuse was thought to have dissipated, Campbell still applied a discharge tool.
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In Memory of the Seven Men of the Royal
Engineers 9th Bomb Disposal Company Who Lost Their Lives When an Unexploded German Bomb Removed from the City Centre Exploded Whilst Being Unloaded Near This Spot for De-Fusing on Whitley Common on 18 October 1940:
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For most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner, to 2nd
Lieutenant A. F. Campbell, R.E. (since deceased). Second Lieutenant Campbell was called upon to deal with an unexploded bomb in the
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On 18 October 1940, Campbell and his squad were attempting to complete an identical procedure on another bomb. However, after arriving at
Whitley Common, the bomb exploded during unloading, killing the entire bomb squad.
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where it could be detonated safely. Campbell positioned himself next to the bomb on this journey listening for any timer mechanism that might have been activated by the bomb's removal. The bomb was remotely detonated.
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On 18 October 2006, the anniversary of the death of
Campbell and his fellow soldiers, a memorial plaque was dedicated to their memory close to where they died on Whitley Common.
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Sappers W. Gibson, R. Gilchrest, A. Plumb, R.W. Skelton and Driver E.F.G. Taylor were tasked to deal with a 250-kilogram (550 lb) unexploded bomb.
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On 17 October 1940, Campbell, believing the bomb to be inert ordered it to be moved. It was loaded onto a lorry and taken to
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on 25 October 1940, the squad were buried in a collective grave in
Coventry's
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Campbell's posthumous George Cross citation appeared in
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236:(2 May 1898 – 18 October 1940), known as
496:British Army personnel killed in World War II
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491:Deaths by German airstrikes during The Blitz
355:2nd Lieutenant A. F. Campbell, G.C., Age 42
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260:Triumph Engineering Works unexploded bomb
414:Search on for family of WW II bomb hero
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481:British recipients of the George Cross
331:His George Cross is on display in the
506:British Army personnel of World War I
476:Military personnel from East Ayrshire
373:Driver E. F. Taylor, R.A.S.C., Age 32
264:On 14 October 1940 at Chapel Street,
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248:who was posthumously awarded the
403:Royal Engineers 18 October 1940
296:Following a funeral service at
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252:for conspicuous gallantry in
27:Recipient of the George Cross
370:Sapper R. W. Skelton, Age 20
358:Sgt. M. Gibson, G.C., Age 34
364:Sapper R. Gilchrist, Age 23
325:Triumph Engineering Company
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471:People from Dalmellington
230:Alexander Fraser Campbell
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43:Alexander Fraser Campbell
32:Alexander Campbell Fraser
30:For the philosopher, see
486:Royal Engineers officers
361:Sapper W. Gibson, Age 22
501:Bomb disposal personnel
367:Sapper J. Plumb, Age 25
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333:Royal Engineers Museum
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308:George Cross citation
144:Years of service
346:The memorial reads:
318:on 22 January 1941:
302:London Road Cemetery
116:London Road Cemetery
18:Sandy Campbell (GC)
315:The London Gazette
298:Coventry Cathedral
443:978-1-4087-0255-0
436:. Little, Brown.
256:in October 1940.
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156:Second Lieutenant
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138:British Army
95:(1940-10-18)
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466:1940 deaths
461:1898 births
430:Owen, James
58:Nickname(s)
455:Categories
434:Danger UXB
379:References
195:Home Front
124:Allegiance
118:, Coventry
85:, Scotland
76:2 May 1898
72:1898-05-02
200:The Blitz
106:, England
432:(2010).
339:Memorial
266:Coventry
240:, was a
132:Service/
104:Coventry
83:Ayrshire
206:†
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218:Awards
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167:135004
134:branch
111:Buried
288:Death
61:Sandy
438:ISBN
172:Unit
152:Rank
147:1940
90:Died
66:Born
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234:GC
232:,
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70:(
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