Revealed: Extraordinary story of British WWI captain released by Kaiser from German prison camp

The London Daily Mail ^ | September 3, 2013

[2ndDivisionVet]

A British soldier was freed from a German POW camp during World War One to see his dying mother - and kept his promise to the Kaiser by returning, historians have discovered.

Captain Robert Campbell, aged 29, was captured just weeks after Britain declared war on Germany in July, 1914.

But after two years in Magdeburg Prisoner of War Camp the British officer received word from home his mother Louise Campbell was close to death.

He speculatively wrote to Kaiser Wilhelm II begging to be allowed home to visit his mother one final time.

Incredibly the German leader granted the request allowing the professional office two weeks leave - as long as he returned.

The only bond he placed on the leave was Capt Campbell's ‘word' as an army officer.

He returned to his family home in Gravesend Kent in December 1916 and spent a week with his cancer-stricken mother.

He then kept his promise by returning to his German prison - where he stayed until the war ended in 1918....

[2ndDivisionVet]

Full title: Revealed: Extraordinary story of British WWI captain released by Kaiser from German prison camp so he could see his dying mother in Kent - on condition that he returned to his cell... and he DID

It's called honor.

[blueunicorn6]

There was a Roman Legion that lost its standard during a battle. Their punishment was decimation. They would fall-in and every tenth man would be executed. The problem was, that it was harvest time, and the Roman Soldiers were needed at home for the harvest. They were released to go home and harvest, but then they must return for the decimation ceremony. They all came back. Those were some Soldiers.

[TexasFreeper2009]

I am starting to think most of the best people died in the American civil war and the 2 world wars.

Because otherwise where did all the people like this and our founders go?

I feel like I am living in the movie Idiocracy complete with the moron president

[yarddog]

It also makes me think more of the Kaiser.

[Lancey Howard]

Because otherwise where did all the people like this and our founders go?

I check this page out every single day.
I look at all the faces and pray for their families, and wonder what their hopes and dreams were.

HONOR THE FALLEN

[2ndDivisionVet]

British and Wilsonian propaganda worked him over for years.

[oldenuff2no]

Because otherwise where did all the people like this and our founders go?

Excuse me??? There are men and women in our armed forces this minute with the honor and courage to meet these standards. We may have no leadership right now but do not doubt our men and women in uniform.

I find this line of thought disgusting and insulting. Within the last month two Congressional Medals of Honor have been awarded. Do these mean nothing to you?

[niteowl77]

British and Wilsonian propaganda worked him over for years.

I belatedly came around to this point of view, due to a man who was serious about his history research (and, I confess, a much better friend to me than I was to him). The British propaganda machine was incredibly effective.

Mr. niteowl77

[BilLies]

The Muzzies hate and want to personally kill you( just like some segments in the United States), it is a personal thing, its because you are you and what you stand for.
During the World War I, like the Civil War, (till Grant and Lincoln decided to make it a war of attrition) they just wanted to kill you, nothing personal.

[sinsofsolarempirefan]

Unfortunately, the rules of war have moved on. I bet most people would think releasing POWs on parole to be laughable, but also impractical. The kinds of people the west fights these days are buck savages with no sense of honour that does not involve them murdering their errant female relatives and therefore cannot be trusted.

[Jewbacca]

I have a grandfather (now dead) who fought for the Germans in WWI as very young teenager, the USA in WWII, and Israel for independence and thereafter.

I’ve always wondered if anyone else had that kind of life.

[RightGeek]

Paroles of officers were not uncommon in the Napoleonic wars.

[RobbyS]

Sounds like a great story for a movie. What career did he follow between wars? A real Mensch.

[yarddog]

During the War Between the States, it was common in earlier years to exchange prisoners. Also common to parole them.

Later, Lincoln ended the process leading to the really large POW camps.

My GGGrandfather and 3 of his Brothers were captured and exchanged. They were all in the 18th Alabama.

[preacher]

Check this out:
Adrian Carton de Wiart
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrian_Carton_de_Wiart

[2ndDivisionVet]

Talk about a movie.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks 2ndDivisionVet. And wow:

Captain Robert Campbell, aged 29, was captured just weeks after Britain declared war on Germany in July, 1914... after two years... received word from home his mother Louise Campbell was close to death... wrote to Kaiser Wilhelm II begging to be allowed home to visit his mother one final time... the German leader granted the request allowing the professional office two weeks leave... The only bond he placed on the leave was Capt Campbell's ‘word' as an army officer. He returned to his family home in Gravesend Kent in December 1916 and spent a week with his cancer-stricken mother. He then kept his promise by returning to his German prison...

I think I would have stayed until she passed, and then gone back. But perhaps mom looked him in the eye and said, "don't worry about me, you gave your word."

[BenLurkin]

But perhaps mom looked him in the eye and said, "don't worry about me, you gave your word."

Yup. It was a better world in many 100 years ago.

[Bigg Red]

Wow! What a story.

Yes, as a mother, I think that I would have expected my son to keep his word, as well, even though I would be worried about him.

[zeugma]

Paroles of officers were not uncommon in the Napoleonic wars.

And before, often with their weapons, given a promise by the parolee that he would not resume hostilities.

Parole would generally be respected by both sides, with it understood by his comrades that he couldn't take part anymore. It was a different, in some ways, more civilized time. In other ways, they were much less so. I don't romanticize the times, but there are aspects of the code of honor that we've lost, to our great loss.