Memories of War: Benjamin & Helen Campbell

In late January, I was approached by the Blackville Women’s Institute and asked to participate in their Heritage Day celebrations.  Heritage Week is celebrated in communities throughout New Brunswick each year. This years theme was New Brunswick Remembers: 1914-2014, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War and the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War.

As part of the celebrations, I filmed video of local veterans and their children sharing stories of war and the impact it had on their lives and the lives of their families.

Over the next several weeks we’ll be posting video from the Memories of War series.  In the first video, Helen Jardine shares memories of her father’s sacrifices and how it affected the Campbell family.

Benjamin Campbell was born on October 7, 1913 in Upper Blackville. He joined the North Shore Regiment in June of 1940. Corporal Campbell was involved in the first invasive force that stormed the beaches of Normandy. He was wounded. After recovering, he continued with the regiment through France, Holland and Belgium. He commanded a small group of soldiers who took possession of an island in the River Rhine. This was a decisive victory. He was presented with many medals.

In April, 1942 he married Helen White of Scotland, and returned with her to Canada in 1946. Leaving her family, friends and lifestyle behind, Mrs. Campbell embarked in a new life in rural New Brunswick and became a devoted mother to six children. Watch their story below.

22 Comments

  1. Dawn Moody Langlois on November 9, 2021 at 8:01 am

    Thanks for sharing Helen. So important to remember those who fought for us to have a better life also the traumatic effects it had on the soldiers and their families. I never knew you were named after your mom. Sending you love.

  2. Teresa Leonard-Snyder on May 10, 2016 at 1:35 am

    Dear Ms. Jardine, My grandfather is from Upper Blackville, New Brunswick. He grew up in a small house very close to the river now known as the Miramichi. (i probably spelled that wrong). anyway, his name was Leigh Douglas Campbell, son of Charles Campbell. I notice that Charles was in the war also. I am wondering if you are related to these Campbells?
    Answer if you have the time. Thank you, Sincerely Teresa Snyder

    • Bobby Campbell on July 9, 2016 at 3:15 pm

      Teresa, this is Bobby Campbell,Leigh was my uncle, my dad was Glen….we are related to Ms.Jardine.I think Charles and Ben was brothers…( not sure about that)..

      • T Leonard on November 10, 2021 at 11:35 am

        Dear Bobby,

        Thank you for your reply; so sorry that it took so very long for me to see it. I just received an update from someone else on my email, but never received the note from you. Leigh was my step-grandfather but he was and always treated us as his own children and grandchildren. He married my grandmother who had eight children!! I so admire and respect and have so much gratitude for him for that. He was truly a wonderful person. I don’t know any man who would marry a woman with that many children!! My cousin and I visited when your grandmother passed back in the ‘90’s. Was your father the pastor? We actually located him and had dinner with him and dinner with him and his wife. He took us to the old homestead and showed us the property all the way back where it crossed the highway. We are the one’s that ended up with Leigh’s share of the property. I spoke to one of the relatives (maybe a cousin), he asked to put a trail through our property in order to take lumber through. Of course we said yes. We haven’t been there since the property was divided. So glad that you sent a message. Hope you’re doing well. Sincerely, Teresa

  3. Louise Keeley on March 26, 2014 at 8:54 pm

    What a wonderful story, Helen. They were all so brave and help certainly wasn’t available after their retun.

  4. Judy Helen Peterson on March 16, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    This is very nice love watching this kind of stuff

  5. Bill Buggie on March 14, 2014 at 6:36 pm

    Really enjoyed Helen’s recollections. What a great idea. It will make history real for young people.

  6. Janet Underhill on March 14, 2014 at 6:36 pm

    Loved hearing this story… Edith you look like your mom!! Beautiful lady!! Helen you did a lovely job, thanks for sharing!!

  7. Trudy Underhill on March 14, 2014 at 6:36 pm

    Very interesting! Helen, you did a great job!! Very easy to listen to!!

  8. Edith Odonnell on March 14, 2014 at 6:35 pm

    My mom and dad….They lived through some tough times so we could have a better life…. so enjoy…

  9. Daphne Jardine on March 14, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    It was a beautiful tribute

  10. Jana Underhill Medina on March 14, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    Very nice! I enjoyed it

  11. Darlene Gillespie on March 14, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    Wow she looked a lot like Edith.

  12. Edith Odonnell on March 14, 2014 at 6:33 pm

    Sissy was born in Scotland and came to Canada when she was 2…. She did a great job….

  13. Jane Eaton on March 14, 2014 at 6:33 pm

    Great job, Helen sure makes it easier to understand what our fathers had to deal with.

  14. Sandie Jardine Burns on March 14, 2014 at 6:32 pm

    My wonderful mother speaks of her family and the effects of the war. … Great video work Les McLaughlin!! Tks much for this wonderful keepsake!!

Leave a Comment