Bertie Campini was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire on 26 July 1894.

The 1911 Census tells us that the family lived at 36 Ffynnongroew Road, Rhyl, Flintshire.  The head of the family was Louis Campini aged 53, who was employed as a Butcher’s Manager.  He was a widower, his wife Olive Campini had died some years previously.  There were 9 (nine) children – Mabel Campini aged 22, Daisy Campini aged 19, Bertie Campini aged 17, who was employed as a Butcher’s Boy, Dorothy Campini aged 15, Frederick Campini aged 14, Hilda Campini aged 9, John Campini aged 7, Harold Campini aged 6 and Ena Campini aged 5 years.

In 1912 Bertie obtained employment with London and North Western Railways as a Cleaner at Rhyl Carriage Department.  He is remembered on the London and North Western Railways Roll of Honour.

On Thursday 12 November 1914, Bertie enlisted as a Private with 5th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.  On Monday 19 July 1915, he sailed from Devonport with the Battalion, via Alexandria to Gallipoli, arriving at Sulva Bay on Sunday 8 August 1915.  He was killed in action two days later on Tuesday 10 August 1915.

Five other soldiers from 5th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who are remembered on the Rhyl War Memorial were also killed in action at Sulva Bay that same day – Private 876 Peter Edwards, Private 1287 David Jones of 11 Brickfield Terrace, Rhyl, Private 857 William Jones of 122 Wellington Road, Rhyl, Second Lieutenant Robert Clare Walton of 11 Garden Lane, Chester and Sergeant William Wilton.  Three other Rhyl Soldiers who are also remembered on the Rhyl War Memorial were also killed in action or died from wounds at Sulva Bay some days later – Private 1596 John Haines, 5th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, of 9 West Street, Rhyl on Monday 16 August 1915, Private 3248 Edward Davies, 5th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers of 80, Vale Road, Rhyl on Sunday 22 August 1915 and  Private 175 Francis James Martin, Army Cyclist Corps(Welsh Division) of 11 Kinmel Street, Rhyl on Sunday 29 August 1915.

Helles Memorial

He is also remembered on The North Wales Heroes Memorial Arch, Deiniol Road, Bangor, North Wales and on a Remembrance Plaque at The Royal Alexandra Hospital, Marine Drive, Rhyl, Flintshire.

There is a Flintshire Roll of Honour Card for Bertie Campini at the County Archives Office, Hawarden dated 11 September 1919, signed T A Williams.