Mount Forest Cemetery

Location:  Grey County   N 44 00.243   W 80 43.582
On the east side of Grey Road 106, north of Southgate Township Road 04.

 

Located in the Mount Forest Cemetery, this memorial was erected in 1967 by the Legion Ladies Auxiliary.  Although the town of Mount Forest is actually in Wellington County, the cemetery is just outside of town in Grey County.  The memorial features a stone dedicated by the Mount Forest Legion, Capt. Fred Campbell V.C. Branch 134.  A separate stone is also dedicated by the local I.O.O.F. Lodge, on behalf of "Departed Brothers & Sisters".  Unlike many other cemetery memorials, this one is not accompanied by any personal markers, instead it sits alone, in front of a large section of various gravestones.

 

 

Marker text:
MOUNT FOREST

Capt. FRED CAMPBELL V.C.
BRANCH 134
ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION
IN MEMORY OF
DEPARTED COMRADES.

 

Captain Frederick W. Campbell, V.C. 1867-1915                                *taken from the Ontario Historical Plaque, found in front of the Legion named after him. 

Born in Oxford County and raised near Mount Forest, Campbell saw active service in the South African War. He went overseas in 1914 with the first Canadian contingent and was posted to the 1st Battalion, C.E.F. In June, 1915, his unit was engaged in the Givenchy area of France. During an attack on the German trenches, Campbell held an exposed position under heavy fire, despite the loss of most of his detachment. He then advanced and succeeded in holding back a strong counter-attack. Shot by a sniper, Campbell died of his wounds. For his gallant conduct he was posthumously awarded the British Empire's highest decoration for valour, the Victoria Cross.