Background
Evan was born on September 2, 1908, at Johannesburg, South Africa.
Evan was born on September 2, 1908, at Johannesburg, South Africa.
Educated at St Andrew’s College, Grahamstown in Cape Province.
After emigrating he started farming in Southern Rhodesia in 1931. During the 1939-45 war he was a major in the King’s African Rifles, serving in Ethiopia and Burma. Nineteen years later he was brought into the front rank of politics by Premier Winston Field who appointed him to the key post of High Commissioner in London on January 1, 1964.
When Ian Smith came to power in April 1964 the relationship steadily deteriorated although Campbell loyally carried out all instructions. He flew back to Salisbury with warnings from the City of London about the consequences of UDI. When he realised the gulf between him and the government in Salisbury was beyond bridging he resigned on June 17, 1965. He returned to develop his business interests, becoming chairman of the Rhodesian Board of the Standard Bank, Rhodesian Tea Estates and president of the Rhodesian Tobacco Association.
A big genial man, much more than the “simple farmer” he says he now is. His judgment as a banker and businessman carries considerable weight.
