Kenneth Campbell, 21 Lower Bayble

A LEWIS PETTY OFFICER PASSES AWAY AT CHATHAM
With deep regret we announce the death at Chatham on 4th [January 1917] of Chief Petty Officer Kenneth Campbell, Royal Navy, a native of Garrabost, Lewis. The deceased, who was born in January 1875, joined the Navy as a boy in the seaman branch on the 26th April 1890, and commenced his training in HMS Impregnable at Devonport. From there, he was in due course drafted to sea service, and passed steadily, by dint of hard work and proved ability, through the various grades of seaman and petty officer ratings to the position of Chief Petty Officer. Those of our readers who are acquainted with the inner life of the Navy will be aware that the holding of the rating of CPO by one who has graduated in that rigorous school, the executive branch of the Royal Navy, is in itself an ample proof of sterling worth and efficiency. To be as Kenneth Campbell was, a fine experienced and capable seaman, is no new thing for a Lewisman- it is in the very blood of them - but to adapt oneself, as he did, to the life and appliances of warcraft at sea, and to keep abreast of the rapid development and changes in warships and equipment that have taken please since deceased entered the Service, required more than ordinary intelligence and aptitude. The esteem in which Campbell was held was shown by the very handsome wreath "With deepest sympthy" by Commander Alan Dixon, RN, under whom the deceased had served at sea. His messmates, the CPO's at the Naval Barracks, Chatham, also contributed a handsome wreath, similarly inscribed. Arrangements were made, through the courtesy and kindness of Rear-Admiral Erskine and Commander Alan Dixon, of the Chatham Depot, that had the funeral taken place at Chatham the funeral party would have been formed by the Lewismen serving at the port. The remains were, however, sent to Stornoway; but a very graceful and affecting tribute was paid to the memory of their departed countryman by the men of the Island. This took the form of two very fine wreaths, one of which was inscribed: "Comharadh mar chuimhneachan ro ionmhuinn air Commaich Cambhaill, CPO, Royal Navy, le mhuinntir Leoghais agus cardean eile a tha iritheslaidh air seirbheis an Righ, ann a'Chatham. Air falbh, ach gun a bhi air a dha chuinneachadh". The other was inscribed "In loving remembrance of Kenneth Campbell from his wife and family". These were laid beside the coffin in the railway van at Chatham by three Lewismen representing, respectively, the Active Service, the old RNR and the Trawler Reserve. These three Mr J. Morrison, Chief Boatswain, RN; John Macleod Petty Officer RNR; and Alex Maciver, deck hand, RNRT.