Carte de Visite
Unknown Photographer
British India
1862
While most of Queen Victoria’s officers who are remembered today, are memorialized for the part they played in one or more of the many colonial wars and campaigns fought during her long reign. While William Maxwell Campbell of the Royal Engineers did see active service in the 2nd Anglo-Afghan War. most historical mentions of him are related to the part he played in the epic Great Trigonometrical Survey of India.
Campbell was born in Glasgow, Scotland on 18 July 1839, the son of James Campbell and Elizabeth Bogle. He was nominated for a cadetship at British East India Company’s Addiscombe Military Seminary by the Right Honourable Vrnon Smith, President of the seminary’s board. Campbell had received a personal recommendation for the cadetship from the 7th Duke of Argyll, John George Douglas Campbell, and passed the entrance examination in February, 1856.
Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant of Engineers on 11 June 1858. Promoted lieutenant on 27 August 1858, then captain on 18 December 1859. Arriving in India on 26 October 1860 and was attached to the Bombay Sappers and Miners at Poona.
On 30 January 1963 Campbelj joined the Great Trigonometrical Survey as 2nd assistant surveyor. Promoted junior 1st Assistant on 11 March 1865, then 3rd grade deputy superintendent on 1 February 1868. Promoted captain on 18 December 1869, then major on 1 October 1877.
During the 2nd Anglo-Afghan War Campbell the Southern Division of the Afghanistan Field Force under Lieutenant-General D. Stewart, C.B. from 12 March to the end of November 1879. While in Afghanistan, Campbell continued his survey work and was breveted lieutenant-colonel for his outstanding services and was entitled to the 2nd Anglo-Afghan War Medal.
Promoted colonel 23 November 1883, Campbel retired one year later on 28 November 1884. UUpon retirement Campbell was promoted lieutenant general.
Campbell married Annabel Main on 22 September in London. 1890. The couple had one daughter, Lilian.
William Maxwell Campbell died at Henmead Hall, Cuckfield, Sussex on 26 April 1912.
Below: The inscribed reverse side of Campbell's carte de visite.
