Major General Sir Archibald Campbell


1769 - 1843

Heroic soldier and Governor of New Brunswick. Campbell was born into a military family and joined the British army in 1787. He was promoted following successful campaigns in India but, owing to ill health, was forced to return to Britain in 1801. In 1808, he embarked for Portugal, where he took part in the Battles of Rolica and Vimeira. He was also involved in the disastrous campaign in Spain under Sir John Moore (1761 - 1809), which ended at the Battle of Corunna.

In 1809, he assisted in the organising and disciplining the Portuguese army who he took into the further battles of the Peninsular war. He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General (1811) and Major-General (1813) in the Portuguese Army. With the revolution in Portugal of 1820, Campbell returned to Britain, but was soon to return to India. He proceeded to Burma and captured its capital, Rangoon defeating a Burmese army ten times the size of his own. This brought Campbell much glory, together with a gold medal, property and a pension of £1000 per year for life. Tired and ill, he returned to Britain in 1829. Yet, by 1831, Campbell had accepted an appointment as Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick (Canada). He was well-regarded for his handling this role and served until 1837. In 1839, he accepted the appointment as Commander-in-Chief in Bombay (India) but, due to further illness and his age, he was quickly forced to resign and return home.

Campbell was knighted in 1814 and gained the freedom of the City of Perth. Through marriage, he acquired Garth House in Glen Lyon.

He died in Edinburgh.


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