Background
Campbell, Ross was born on November 4, 1918 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Son of William Marshall and Helen Isabel (Harris) Campbell.
Campbell, Ross was born on November 4, 1918 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Son of William Marshall and Helen Isabel (Harris) Campbell.
Campbell studied Law at the University of Toronto, upon graduation he volunteered for military service.
He held diplomatic posts throughout the world including Norway, Denmark, and Turkey, and served as Canada"s Ambassador to Yugoslavia, Algeria, of Korea, and Japan. Between 1967 and 1972, Campbell served as ambassador to North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Upon finishing diplomatic service Campbell was appointed chairman of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. He served with the Royal Canadian Navy from 1940 to 1945.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by King George VI in 1944 for his work in Motor Torpedo Boats.
During his tour of duty Campbell took park in two North African invasions and others in Italy, Greece and Normandy. Campbell ended the war as a Lieutenant Commander.
Soon after the end of the Second World War Campbell married Penelope "Pippa" Grantham-Hill in England. Campbell began his career with External Affairs with postings in Norway, Denmark, and Turkey.
During postings in Ottawa he served as a special assistant, the head of the Middle East division, and the assistant under-secretary of state for External Affairs.
Campbell was appointed as Canada"s first Ambassador to Yugoslavia, concurrently being accredited as Ambassador to Algeria while residing in Yugoslavia. In 1967 Campbell was appointed as the Canadian ambassador to North Atlantic Treaty Organization. As part of his appointment he served as a Canada"s representative on North Atlantic Treaty Organization"s Nuclear Planning Group. He was known as a blunt-spoken diplomat who believed in the Cold War realities of North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This came at a time when the Liberal cabinet led by Pierre Trudeau questioned the value of North Atlantic Treaty Organization and contemplated revoking membership within the alliance.
Campbell was firm in his view that without North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Soviet Union would have opportunity to overthrow the countries of Western Europe.
Campbell held that North Atlantic Treaty Organization existed to preserve European territorial integrity, security, and social and economic well-being. Further, Campbell argued that North Atlantic Treaty Organization acted as Canada"s admission card to the negotiating tables of the Western Alliance.
After his North Atlantic Treaty Organization assignment ended in 1972, Campbell was appointed as the ambassador to Japan. Upon his retirement from Canadian diplomatic corps, Campbell was appointed chairman of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited.
His appointment came at a time when charges were being laid against the company for corruption.
Campbell"s primary responsibility with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited was to sell Canada Deuterium Uranium reactor"s to foreign governments. Despite his retirement from government Campbell remained outspoken over his views of North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Served with Royal Canada Navy, 1940-1945. Member Canada Institute International Affairs Clubs: Rideau (Ottawa). Country (Lucerne, Petroquest Energy).
Married Penelope Grantham-Hill, June 6, 1945. Children: Hugh, Timothy.