Alec Campbell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alec Campbell
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| Birth name | Alexander William Campbell |
| Nickname(s) | The Kid |
| Born | 26 February 1899 Launceston, Colony of Tasmania, British Empire |
| Died | 16 May 2002 (aged 103) Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
| Allegiance |  Australia |
| Service/ |
Australian Army Australian Imperial Force (AIF), 15th Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade |
| Years of service | 2 July 1915 – 22 August 1984 |
| Rank | Private |
| Battles/wars | World War I: Battle of Gallipoli |
| Awards | 1914–15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, 80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal, Centenary Medal |
| Relations | Ruby Rose (great-granddaughter) |
| Other work | Jackeroo, carpenter, mechanic, builder, boxer (Tasmanian Flyweight Champion), sailor (six Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races) and unionist |
Alexander William Campbell (born February 26, 1899 – died May 16, 2002) was the very last Australian soldier who fought in the Gallipoli campaign during World War I. He joined the Australian Army in 1915 when he was only 16 years old. He worked as a carrier, moving supplies for two months during the fighting at Gallipoli. He was sent home because he got sick and was officially discharged from the army in 1916.
After the war, Alec Campbell had many different jobs. He was married twice and had nine children. He is also the great-grandfather of the famous actress, singer, and model Ruby Rose.
Contents
Alec Campbell's Life Story
Alec Campbell was born in Launceston, Tasmania, which was part of the British Empire at the time. His parents were Marian Isobel and Samuel Alexander Campbell. He went to Scotch College, Launceston, and then worked as a clerk.
Joining the Army
When Alec was just 16, he left his job to join the army. He wasn't old enough to join without his father's permission, so he lied about his age, saying he was 18. He joined the 15th Battalion of the First Australian Imperial Force in July 1915. Because he was so young, his friends in the army called him "The Kid."
His unit left Melbourne on a ship called HMAT Kyarra on August 21, 1915. Alec landed at Anzac Cove in November 1915. He helped carry important things like ammunition, supplies, and water to the soldiers in the trenches. He got a small injury during the fighting. When the Australian forces left Gallipoli in 1916, Alec became very sick with a fever.
He was sent home on a ship called HMAT Port Sydney in June 1916. He was officially discharged from the army in August 1916. He was only 17 years old, but he was already a veteran of Gallipoli. He fought in the war for just two months. He later said about his experience:
- "I joined for adventure. There was not a great feeling of defending the Empire. I lived through it, somehow. I enjoyed some of it. I am not a philosopher. Gallipoli was Gallipoli."
Life After the War
Alec Campbell lived a very busy life. He worked in many different places like South Australia, New South Wales, and Tasmania. He was a jackaroo (a trainee on a sheep or cattle farm), a carpenter, and even built railway carriages. He also studied at university when he was older.
He was involved in unions, which are groups that protect workers' rights. He was president of the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Railways Union and the Launceston Trades and Labor Council for several years. He even helped build the (Old) Parliament House in Canberra.
After the Second World War, when he was 50, Alec earned a degree in economics. He then worked for the government.
Alec loved sailing and became a skilled boat-builder. He even competed in seven Sydney to Hobart yacht races, which are very famous sailing races. In 1950, he sailed all the way around Tasmania by himself.
Alec Campbell was married twice, both times to women named Kathleen. He had nine children, with his last child being born when he was 69 years old!
He lived a very active life. He only needed a wheelchair in his last few months. He passed away peacefully on May 16, 2002, at 103 years old, due to a chest infection. He is buried in the Cornelian Bay Cemetery in Hobart.
His second wife said that Alec had become "national property," meaning he was very important to the whole country. When he died, he had 30 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren (including model/actress Ruby Rose), and two great-great-grandchildren. By 2022, he had nine great-great-grandchildren.
An Australian "Legend"
In 2000, Alec Campbell was named one of the "Australian Legends." His picture was put on special postage stamps by Australia Post. These stamps honor living Australians who have helped shape Australia's identity. Alec was able to enjoy this honor while he was still alive.
The 45-cent stamp showed Alec as a young soldier before he went to Gallipoli. Other stamps in the set featured other very old Anzac veterans. There was also a stamp with the 1914–15 star medal, which was given to soldiers who fought in those early war years. These stamps told the story of people who helped make Australia what it is today. Alec's stamp honored him as an individual and as a symbol for all 68,000 soldiers who fought at Gallipoli.
In one of his last public appearances, Alec Campbell led the 2002 Anzac Day Parade in Hobart. He seemed to really enjoy shaking hands with the many young children who came to greet him.
Alec was born just before Australia became a country. When he died, the nation honored him with a special state funeral in Hobart.
The Prime Minister at the time, John Howard, said that Alec was the last living connection to the soldiers who created the ANZAC legend. He also said that Gallipoli was "a story of great bravery under fire." Alec never fully understood why he got so much attention for living so long. He sometimes felt that politicians praised him for being a war hero but ignored his work with unions later in life.
As fewer and fewer Gallipoli veterans were left, Alec's name became very well known. Some people wanted to make him an icon, or a symbol, of "the last of the Anzacs." But Alec didn't like this idea. He said there was nothing special about being the last; he was just one of the youngest soldiers at Gallipoli. Shortly before he died, Alec said, "For god's sake, don't glorify Gallipoli - it was a terrible fiasco, a total failure and best forgotten."
Medals and Honours
- 1914-15 Star
- British War Medal
- Victory Medal
- 80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal (received April 21, 1999)
- Australia Post Australian Legends Award (2000)
- Centenary Medal (received January 1, 2002)
See also
- Roy Longmore, one of the last two surviving veterans of Gallipoli.
- Walter Parker, one of the last three surviving veterans of Gallipoli.
