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Principal from 1961 - 1966 & 1971 - 1973
Thomas James Duncan Campbell (1922 – 1989)
Thomas James Duncan Campbell (1922 – 1989)
Brigadier Thomas James Duncan Campbell was born on 6 April 1922 .
He joined the Singapore Volunteer Corps (SVC) in 1940. He was a prisoner of war and one of the few survivors of the ‘Death Railway’.
He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the SVC on 27 July 1950.
Our Story St. Patrick’s School 1933-1983
He was a Captain and Officer Commanding of the Cadets in St. Patrick’s School in the 1950s.
In 1959, he was “Officer Commanding (OC) A Coy 1st Singapore Volunteer Corps (SVC). He was a Major and my OC. I was a volunteer Lance Corporal. I remember that he took soldiering seriously and was an effective commander.” LTG Winston Choo, Chief of Defence Force, 1974 - 1992.
He served as Principal of St. Stephen’s School (1961–1966) before being recalled to active duty.
“All I remember was that he was very strict.” Dr Yee Kum Choon. St. Stephen’s School, Class of 1965.
“Nice chap. I remember when I was little, my dad brought me to see him at St. Stephen’s to find out if I could join the school at Primary 3and my brother in Primary 4. We were studying at St. Joseph’s School in Johor Bahru at the time. He chatted with my dad, smiled and spoke to my brother and I and got approval for our entrance. That was my introduction to the Singapore system of education.” Paul Robert Jansen. St. Stephen’s School, Class of 1965.
Passing Out Parade, Tanah Merah Camp 15 March 1966. National Archives, Singapore
He was promoted to Acting Brigadier on 1 March 1966 and attained confirmation in the Rank of Brigadier in the SAF with effect from 1st January 1970. His appointments include:
1. Brigade Commander of the Singapore Infantry Brigade (SIB), 1 March 1966.
2. Commandant of the People’s Defence Force (PDF), 15 August 1968.
3. Director, General Staff (DGS), 17 December 1968.
4. Director, Singapore Command and Staff College (SCSC), 7 September 1970.
He was released from mobilized service on 1st March 1971 and resumed his post as Principal, St. Stephen’s School from 1971 to 1973.
His daughter, Yvonne Campbell, did her Pre-University studies in St. Patrick’s School from 1968 – 1969. His son was a student in St. Stephen’s School and his wife was also an Administrative Officer in the same school.
He retired to Perth in 1973 and passed away in Kelmscott, Western Australia on 20 October 1989.
The Straits Times 22 October 1989
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