Hugh Campbell (politician)
Encyclopedia
Air Marshal
Hugh Lester Campbell, CBE
, CD
(born: July 13, 1908 - died: May 25, 1987, Ottawa
, Ontario
, Canada
) was a politician for Northwest Territories
, Canada
and a senior commander in the Royal Canadian Air Force
.
Hugh Lester Campbell was born on 13 July 1908 in Salisbury, New Brunswick
. Joining the Royal Canadian Air Force just before his 20th birthday, he was granted the provisional rank of pilot officer
on 4 June 1928.
During World War II
, Campbell served as the Director of Air Staff at the RCAF Overseas Headquarters. In his capacity as Director, on one occasion Campbell was inspecting air force units in North Africa
when his jeep drove over a mine and Campbell was wounded. Returning to Canada, in January 1944 Campbell was appointed as Assistant to the Chief of the Air Staff at the Royal Canadian Air Force
Headquarters in Ottawa
. The following April he became Air Member for Personal on promotion to air vice-marshal
remaining at Ottawa.
In 1952 Campbell was appointed as the first Air Officer Commanding
the Canadian Air Division in Europe. He retained this post until 1955 and during his years in command Canada's European commitment to NATO rose to 12 squadrons. From 1955 to 1957 he was the Vice Air Deputy at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
. He was appointed Chief of the Air Staff
in 1957, holding the post until 1962 when he retired.
Following his service career Campbell entered politics. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories
being appointed to the council to serve as an at-large member three times from 1964 to 1975.
He died in Ottawa on May 25, 1987.
Air Marshal
Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Hugh Lester Campbell, CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, CD
Canadian Forces Decoration
The Canadian Forces Decoration is a Canadian award bestowed upon members of the Canadian Forces who have completed twelve years of military service, with certain conditions. By convention, it is also given to the Governor General of Canada upon his or her appointment as viceroy, which includes the...
(born: July 13, 1908 - died: May 25, 1987, Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
) was a politician for Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and a senior commander in the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
.
Hugh Lester Campbell was born on 13 July 1908 in Salisbury, New Brunswick
Salisbury, New Brunswick
Salisbury, New Brunswick is a Canadian village located in Westmorland County, New Brunswick.The village's population meets the requirements for "town" status under the Municipalities Act of the Province of New Brunswick; however, its municipal status has not been changed.-History:Salisbury first...
. Joining the Royal Canadian Air Force just before his 20th birthday, he was granted the provisional rank of pilot officer
Pilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
on 4 June 1928.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Campbell served as the Director of Air Staff at the RCAF Overseas Headquarters. In his capacity as Director, on one occasion Campbell was inspecting air force units in North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
when his jeep drove over a mine and Campbell was wounded. Returning to Canada, in January 1944 Campbell was appointed as Assistant to the Chief of the Air Staff at the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
Headquarters in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
. The following April he became Air Member for Personal on promotion to air vice-marshal
Air Vice-Marshal
Air vice-marshal is a two-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in...
remaining at Ottawa.
In 1952 Campbell was appointed as the first Air Officer Commanding
Air Officer Commanding
Air Officer Commanding is a title given in the air forces of Commonwealth nations to an air officer who holds a command appointment. Thus, an air vice marshal might be the AOC 38 Group...
the Canadian Air Division in Europe. He retained this post until 1955 and during his years in command Canada's European commitment to NATO rose to 12 squadrons. From 1955 to 1957 he was the Vice Air Deputy at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe is the central command of NATO military forces. It is located at Casteau, north of the Belgian city of Mons...
. He was appointed Chief of the Air Staff
Chief of the Air Staff (Canada)
The Chief of the Air Staff is the commander and institutional head of the Royal Canadian Air Force...
in 1957, holding the post until 1962 when he retired.
Following his service career Campbell entered politics. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories
Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories
The Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories or Legislative Council of the Northwest Territories, Canada, is located in Yellowknife. The Assembly is a unicameral elected body that creates and amends law in the Northwest Territories...
being appointed to the council to serve as an at-large member three times from 1964 to 1975.
He died in Ottawa on May 25, 1987.