Notes
His biography on the college website states: ‘Ivar was the son of Lord George Granville Campbell and Sybil Lascelles Alexander. His grandfather was the 8th Duke of Argyll. The family lived between Strrachur Park, Argyll and 2, Bryanston Square, London.
After Eton he was up at Christ Church for one year from 1908. From about the end of 1912, until March 1914, he was honorary attaché to the British Embassy at Washington, and Lord Eustace Percy, who was with him there, told of the keen interest he took in America's democratic institutions and the political and economic life of the whole country. Himself an idealist, “it was simple humanness that he looked for, and he naturally found it on all sides.”
Returning home from America he had a curious wish to open a bookshop in Chelsea, under an assumed name; but the war came to prevent a realisation of that pleasant ambition. He applied, then, at once for a commission, but was rejected owing to a weakness in his sight, and eagerly accepted an opportunity to serve with the American Red Cross Society in France as driver of a motor ambulance. This was better to him than remaining 'one of the useless ones,' but he was not satisfied and presently returned to England, and, after another rejection, was in February 1915 given a commission as Lieutenant in the regiment of his Clan, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.'
The following May he went to France, and after sharing in the long and terrible
experience of trench warfare there, was sent with his regiment to Mesopotamia, and whilst gallantly leading his men against the Turkish position at Sheikh Saad on the 7th January 1916, was shot down, and died of his wounds next day. His Estate amounted to £2385 11s 3d. Administration with Will granted to his mother. He is remembered on Panel 41 on the Basra Memorial.
After his death, his friends and family published “Letters of Ivar Campbell” London: Privately Printed, 1917, “The Prose Writings of Ivar Campbell” and “The Poems of Ivar Campbell”, A.L. Humphreys, London, 1917. With Memoir by Guy Ridley.