In Memoriam: Colonel Andrew Campbell

03 December 2021

SSAFA Edinburgh & The Lothians would like to pay tribute to our former President, Colonel Andrew Campbell, who died aged 67 on 28th September 2021 following a brief illness.

Colonel Andrew leaves not only his own close family, but also the local SSAFA family who he represented as President between 2009 and December 2020.

With his wife Lady Fiona, Andrew sat on the local Branch committee and always held SSAFA close to his heart, so much so that Andrew and his family ensured that we were his chosen charity for donations at his recent memorial service at the Kirk of the Canongate on Edinburgh's Royal Mile.

It was when Andrew was still a serving officer at Craigiehall Barracks near Edinburgh, that a friend and SSAFA Caseworker encouraged Andrew to take over as Branch President.

Anne Lamb, the former Branch Chairman reflects: “From my perspective, he was very supportive when I took over in 2019, keen to explore new avenues to further promote the Branch and always interested in the wellbeing of the volunteers.

“I so enjoyed the time he afforded me to discuss Branch issues and he was always informative and fun!”

Andrew's presidency has passed on to Lt Colonel Jonny Gray, a fellow Royal Archer, Argyll and passionate SSAFA supporter.

He said: “Andrew approached me in 2019 to assume his role as President of the Branch on his retirement. His enthusiasm for SSAFA was palpable and infectious. As a former CO of the Argylls, I know only too well of the vital work of SSAFA, and I was proud to follow in his footsteps.”

The volunteers who knew Andrew describe him as “…hugely popular…”' and “…quietly supportive…”.

His main legacy as President to the Branch was to create a strong relationship between the Edinburgh New Club and the Branch when he took over as the Secretary of one of Edinburgh’s “institutions”.

This connection has raised not only the awareness of the Branch, but also of SSAFA as a whole, and has increased the breadth and depth of our presence in Edinburgh & The Lothians, and by doing so our ability to help those of his former colleagues and their families who have turned to us in their time of need and requested our help.

It is for this and for his personal friendship with our volunteers that as a Branch we would like to remember Andrew.

Walter Gallacher, Branch Chair, SSAFA Edinburgh & The Lothians.