The Herald of November 23, 1916 (see here) published an article on Donald Campigli and his Distinguished Conduct Medal, which was presented to him on Wednesday, November 22 1916 by the Governor General, Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson. Donald has a local connection because he was born in 1896 whilst his father was stationed at the Bunyip Railway Station.
His father, James, was the Station Master at Bunyip from February 1901 to May 1904 but the family had been in Bunyip for around five years before he received this appointment. As with many families where the father was employed by the Victorian Railways, they moved frequently. This is a quick look at the birth years and birth registration places of the children of James and Catherine (nee Murray) Campigli, who were married in 1887 - Marion Helena - 1888, Williamstown; Mary Ann - 1889 Frankston; George Murray - 1890 Inglewood; Louis - 1893 Cranbourne, died aged seven months; Francis Louis - 1894 Rocky Lead (now Rocklyn); Donald Hugh - 1896 Bunyip South; John Murray - 1898, Bunyip South; Christine Louise - 1900, Bunyip South; William Robert Gordon - 1903, Heywood; Sydney McIntosh - 1904, Port Albert.
This is the report from The Herald -
Private Donald H. Campigli, D.C M, who Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, the Governor-General, presented with his medal at South Melbourne yesterday, was one of those who with the 8th (Victorian) Battalion, took part in the famous landing in Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. He was a member of B Company and his story of how he won the medal is, briefly as follows:—
"We were occupying Shrapnel Gully and were getting into the Turks hot and strong. They we're doing the same to us. We were in a recently used trench, from which we had driven the Turks. Some of our killed and wounded were in front and we heard the men cry for water. I did not know at the time who they were. Some of the boys said they would go out but our commanding officer, Captain L. R. Hartland (afterwards killed in action) gave orders that no man should leave the trenches because it would mean further loss of life. I was not satisfied, and asked him if I could go. He said 'No.' "He turned away, and while he was doing something a few yards away, I jumped over the parapet, and went out I got hold of one of the men, who was not seriously wounded. I don't know who he was - he belonged to some other battalion. I brought him back into the trench where he was fixed up. Then I went out a second time, and a fellow asked me for a drink of water. I gave him my bottle. He was shot through the back and could not move. I got him on my back and brought him within five or six yards of the trench, where he was shot a second time. He was a man of 13st. or more, and I found him no light burden. I was taking him further to the rear when he was again shot and this time the wound was fatal."
Private Campigli afterwards took part in the gallant charge of the 2nd Brigade under Brigadier-General J. W. McCay, at Cape Helles and celebrated his 19th birthday while in the Gallipoli trenches. His brothers, George and Frank, are now on active service in Europe.
The father of the three soldiers is a relieving station master living at Williamstown. For some years he was resident of Scarsdale where Donald went to the school so lovingly honored by the Scarsdale Old Boys. His portrait, handsomely framed, looks down from the wall on the younger generation of scholars, an ever-present incentive to the faithful accomplishment of lessons nobly learned. It was given to the school by Mr W. H. Rogers, of Nar Nar Goon, an enthusiastic member of the Old Boys' Association.
The article mentions the fact that his two brothers, George and Frank, were serving and a fourth brother, John, enlisted after this article was published. This is a brief summary of their war service.
Campigli, Donald Hugh (SN 7460) Donald enlisted on December 11, 1914 at the age of 19, and served in Gallipoli where he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, was later at Dardenelles, and was discharged February 1916 but then rejoined on July 16, 1917 and Returned to Australia April 1920. On his second enlistment he was one of the 'Sportsmen's Thousand' a 1917 campaign to encourage sportsmen to join the AIF. Donald is listed on the Bunyip Methodist Church Honour Board (see here). Donald married Doris Isabella Taylor in 1921 and they had two sons Donald and Keith. Young Donald served in the RAAF in World War Two. Donald died December 21, 1952, aged 56.
Campigli, John Murray (SN 3930). John, known as Jack, was a 22 year old Clerk with the Railways when he enlisted on December 8, 1917. He Died of Disease - pneumonia and malaria - in Palestine on November 21, 1918.
Campigli, Francis Louis (SN 3634) Frank was 21 years old and a Clerk, when he enlisted on July 13, 1915. He Returned to Australia October 6, 1919. Frank married Jessie May Adsett in 1922. They lived in the Camberwell area after their marriage and had a daughter, Margaret. Frank died October 28, 1976, aged 82. He was cremated at Springvale Crematorium. Jessie moved to Sydney after Frank's death and passed away March 20, 1978,
Campigli, George Murray (SN 237). George enlisted on August 20, 1914 at the age of 24, He was a Clerk with the Victorian Railways. He was discharged from the A.I.F on July 11, 1916 and joined the Imperial Army or British Expeditionary Forces. George rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and received the Military Cross. After the War he remained in Palestine to organise their railways on a commercial basis. He married Edna May Phillips, the daughter of William Henry Phillips, who also stayed in Palestine after the War and worked with the railways. The marriage took place at Port Said on December 20, 1922. Read a report in the Northam Advertiser, here. You can read the obituary of W.H. Phillips in the Northam Advertiser here. The article, below, tells us that George and Edna had five children. Their son, Bruce Campigli, was Killed in Action on July 11, 1944 at the age of 18. He was in the Royal Navy on the H.M.S. Pembroke.
There was an interesting interview with George Campigli published in the Perth Listening Post on February 24, 1933. He talked about his War experience and gave an overview of the economy and infrastructure of Palestine. Read it here and here. George died in Camberwell on August 23, 1951, aged 61. He is buried at Burwood Cemetery with his wife, Edna.
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