Jock Campbell

Major-General John Charles Campbell, (10 January 1894 – 26 February 1942), known as Jock Campbell, was a British Army officer and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Early life and career Campbell was born in Thurso and educated at Sedbergh School. At the beginning of the First World War in August 1914 he joined the Honourable Artillery Company, and, after graduating from the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, was commissioned into the Royal Horse Artillery in 1915. Serving in France, he was wounded twice and ended the war as a captain, having earned the Military Cross (MC). Between the wars he became a first class horseman (in the top flight at both polo and hunting), while continuing to serve as an artillery officer. Second World War When the Second World War broke out Campbell was 45 years old and a major commanding a battery in the 4th Regiment Royal Horse Artillery in Egypt. When Italy declared war in June 1940, Campbell, by then a lieutenant colonel, was commanding the artillery component of 7th Armoured Division's Support Group under Brigadier William Gott. The British Army was heavily outnumbered by the Italians, so General Archibald Wavell formulated a plan with his senior commanders to retain the initiative by harassing the enemy using mobile all-arms flying columns. Campbell's brilliant command of one of these columns led to their being given the generic name "Jock columns" (although it is unclear if the idea originated with Campbell or not).