Malcolm Campbell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Malcolm Campbell
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Sir Malcolm Campbell circa 1935
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| Born | 11 March 1885 Chislehurst, Kent, England
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| Died | 31 December 1948 (aged 63) |
| Resting place | St Nicholas Church, Chislehurst, Kent, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Uppingham School |
| Occupation | Racing motorist, journalist |
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| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1945 |
| Rank | Major |
| Service number | 86891 |
| Unit | Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment |
Major Sir Malcolm Campbell (born March 11, 1885 – died December 31, 1948) was a famous British racing driver and journalist. He was known for breaking world speed records on both land and water. He used special vehicles he called Blue Bird. His son, Donald Campbell, also became a record-breaker, continuing the family's love for speed.
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Early Life and Racing Start
Malcolm Campbell was born in Chislehurst, England, on March 11, 1885. His father, William Campbell, sold diamonds. Malcolm went to Uppingham School. While learning about the diamond business in Germany, he became very interested in motorbikes and racing.
When he returned to Britain, he worked for a company called Lloyd's of London. Between 1906 and 1908, he won three big motorcycle races called the London to Land's End Trials. In 1910, he started racing cars at a famous track called Brooklands. He named his racing cars Blue Bird and painted them blue. He got the idea from a play he saw called The Blue Bird.
Malcolm Campbell was married three times and had two children, Donald and Jean. His son, Donald, later became famous for breaking speed records too.
Military Service
When the First World War began in 1914, Malcolm Campbell joined the army. He first worked as a motorcycle messenger. Soon after, he became an officer in the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. He then joined the Royal Flying Corps, where he flew planes.
Later, during the late 1930s, he was in charge of a military police group. During the Second World War, from 1940 to 1942, he led a special military police team. Their job was to help move King George VI and the Royal Family to safety if Germany invaded. He left the army in 1945 with the honorary rank of Major.
Grand Prix Racing Achievements
Malcolm Campbell also competed in Grand Prix motor racing. These were big, important car races. He won the Grand Prix de Boulogne in France twice, in 1927 and 1928. He drove a special racing car called a Bugatti T37A.
Breaking Land Speed Records
Campbell was amazing at setting new land speed records. He broke the record nine times between 1924 and 1935.
- His first record was in 1924 at Pendine Sands in Wales. He drove a 350HP V12 Sunbeam at about 146 miles per hour (235 km/h). This car is now in a museum.
- In 1925, he set a new lap record at Brooklands, reaching 100 miles per hour (161 km/h) in a streamlined Chrysler Six.
- On February 4, 1927, he set another record at Pendine Sands. He reached about 175 miles per hour (282 km/h) in his Napier-Campbell Blue Bird.
- He set many of his records at Daytona Beach in Florida, USA.
- His final land speed record was set on September 3, 1935, at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA. He was the very first person to drive a car over 300 miles per hour! He averaged 301.337 miles per hour (484.955 km/h) in his Blue Bird car.
Breaking Water Speed Records
Not only did Malcolm Campbell break land speed records, but he also broke water speed records. He set the water speed record four times.
His fastest water speed was 141.740 miles per hour (228.110 km/h). He achieved this on August 19, 1939, on Coniston Water in England, using his boat called Blue Bird K4.
Politics
In 1935, Malcolm Campbell tried to become a Member of Parliament for the Conservative Party in a place called Deptford. However, he was not successful in the election.
Later Life and Death
Sir Malcolm Campbell passed away on December 31, 1948, in Reigate, England, at the age of 63. He died from a series of strokes. It's important to know that many speed record holders of his time died in crashes, so he was one of the few who died from natural causes.
Honours and Awards
Malcolm Campbell received many awards and honours for his amazing achievements:
- In 1919, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his service in the First World War.
- In 1931, after setting a new land speed record of 245.736 miles per hour (395.473 km/h) at Daytona Beach, he was knighted by King George V at Buckingham Palace. This is why he is called "Sir" Malcolm Campbell.
- He won the Segrave Trophy in 1933 and 1939, an award for outstanding achievements in land, air, or water speed.
- He was added to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994.
- In 2010, a special blue plaque was put up at Canbury School in Kingston Hill. This plaque remembers both Sir Malcolm Campbell and his son, Donald, who was born there.
See also
In Spanish: Malcolm Campbell para niños
