From the Burnt Records, Peter Inns & Kay Collins

Born in Rushden, James Sargent Campion was the second son of William & Louisa Campion and with his three brothers and four sisters lived at 62 Glassbrook Road. He enlisted at Northampton on 3rd September 1914 and was then 24 years and 2 months old, a labourer 5' 3" tall, weighed 112 pounds, with a chest of 36" (2" expansion), of fair physical development and with fair complexion. He went to France on 10th February 1915, and was killed in action on 9th May 1915.

Thrilling Story of the War - Sixteen Hours Near the German Trenches - Terrible Experience

Mrs A Reynolds, of Rushden, has received a letter from her son Pte R Reynolds, of the 1st Northants, who write under date May 12:

"I now write these few lines to you, hoping that you are all well, as I am well myself, but I was crying on May 9th, when we made a charge at the Germans and my officer was killed, and I knelt down and said a prayer. I saw Jim Campion (son of Mrs Campion, Glassbrook-road, Rushden) get his leg shot right off, and Sam Cowley (also of Rushden) got hit, but I cannot say if he was killed. Just break the news to Mrs Robinson (mother of Pte S Robinson, whose death we reported last week, Ed., RE) that her son got killed on May 9th, and that chap at Golding's (Pte F Golding, Ed., RE) down Washbrook, got hit, but I think he was killed as well. We lost about 700 killed and wounded. God only knows how I got through, as I was lying right upon the German trench and I lay there 16¾ hours. I had had nothing for 48 hours, but that was nothing. Some of the boys went up in the air. You cannot realise it out there in England. I got a wound in the arm but it is nothing and I don't care, as it doesn't hurt me. You should have seen the boys get over the trenches, as if it was only a playing field; it was grand. Think of your son lying 16 hours under shell fire. All the tune I was lying under fire I was making fags and smoking. At last I had not got a match and I went and found some on a dead pal, and had my smoke. I had my rifle knocked right out of my hand, but thank God, I soon found another. I had a bullet go right through the photos of sister Lucy, Maggie, Elsie, and Howard. I am sending them so you can put them in the paper."

Rushden Soldier Hurt - Pte James S Campion - News Wanted

Mrs Wm Campion, of 62 Glasbrook-road, Rushden, has received a postcard to say that her son, Pte James Sargent, of the 1st Northants Regiment, has been wounded. The card was written by Pte J Barnes, a friend of her son, who said that Pte Campion was all right when he was forced to leave him and that he did not think it was much. In a letter published in this issue, Pte Reynolds, of Rushden, says he says Pte Campion's leg shot off, but the above card from Pte Barnes was received last Friday morning, so it is hoped that Private Campion's injuries are not so serious as it first appeared.

Pte Campion enlisted about the time of Higham Feast and was sent to the front about the beginning of January. Mrs Campion will be grateful it any of her son's comrades at the front can send her any further particulars concerning her son's injuries.

The Rushden Echo, 17^th September 1915, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Rushden Soldier Killed - Pte. J. S. Campion’s End - Official News

Mrs. Louisa Campion, of Glassbrook-road, Rushden, whose son, Pte. J. S. Campion, of the 1st Northants Regt, we reported wounded and missing some time ago, has now received an official notice from the War Office to say that Pte Campion was killed in action on May 9.