John Dermot Campbell

Who was John Dermot Campbell?

John Dermot Campbell DL was a Northern Irish businessman and Ulster Unionist Member of Parliament in both United Kingdom and Northern Ireland Parliaments. He was killed during the Second World War in a plane crash.

Born in Randalstown, Campbell was educated at Lockers Park School, Wellington College, and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He joined the Royal Artillery serving in Palestine from 1918 to 1919.

After his army service Campbell turned his attention to business and politics in Northern Ireland. He became the managing director of two flax spinning companies; Henry Campbell and Co., and Messrs Laverty and Co. Ltd and was appointed Deputy Flax Controller for Northern Ireland in 1940.

An Ulster Unionist, he was appointed as Chairman of Carrickfergus Urban District Council. In a by-election of 11 February 1943 he was elected as Member of the United Kingdom Parliament for Antrim. On 26 August 1943 in a byelection following the resignation of John Fawcett Gordon, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Parliament as member for Carrick. He held these posts until death in 1945 when his plane crashed at sea.

He was also a Deputy Lieutenant for Belfast and was appointed High Sheriff of Antrim in 1942. He married Josephine McConnell, daughter of Sir Joseph McConnell, 2nd Baronet, and had three children.