Source: 18th Battalion Nominal Roll, April 1915.
Family Search: When Private James Alva Campbell was born on 22 October 1895, in Dutton, Elgin, Ontario, Canada, his father, Neil Alexander Campbell, was 27 and his mother, Maribel Black, was 23. He married Carrie Elizabeth Beer on 24 September 1921, in London, Canada West, British North America. They were the parents of at least 2 sons. He lived in Elgin, Leeds and Grenville, Ontario, Canada in 1901 and Lambton, Ontario, Canada in 1911. He registered for military service in 1915. In 1915, at the age of 20, his occupation is listed as clerk. He died on 8 April 1973, at the age of 77, and was buried in Woodland Cemetery, London, Ontario, Canada.
Second name listed incorrectly as ALBA.
A more comprehensive historical account is provided in James Alva Campbell’s two-volume series, The Story of the London Life Insurance Company. Volume 1, covering 1874–1918, details the company’s uncertain beginnings and solidification under key leaders like John G. Richter.[53] Volume 2, published in 1966 and spanning 1919–1963, examines post-World War I expansion, challenges during the Great Depression, and mid-20th-century growth.[54] Both volumes were produced by the London Life Insurance Company Printing Department and serve as official internal histories.
Private James Alva Campbell, reg. no. 54298.
This man enlisted with the 18th Battalion on 20 March 1915, at London, Ontario.
He was a clerk working for London Life Insurance Company.
He served with the 18th Battalion, going “overseas” to the Continent with the rest of the Battalion on 15 September 1915.
He was granted a 10 day’s leave on 15 November 1916.
Returning to service, he suffered from general myalgia and was admitted to No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance on 22 September 1917 and this condition warranted treatment in England and he was sent via No. 24 Ambulance train to embark the A.T. Panama on 13 October 1917.
He would not return to active combat service. He served the rest of his military service in England.
He was discharged due to demobilization on 19 May 1919 at London, Ontario.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 