The two eldest brothers, Phil and George, enlisted initially with the Air Force and were based in New Zealand, playing occasionally for Air Force station bands. In 1943, they, together with younger brother Lew were recruited for the Kiwi Concert Party by Terry Vaughan while he was home on furlough - George playing the double bass, Phil playing trumpet, and Lew playing piano and trumpet.

On 20 January 1945 the brothers were performing at a 28 Maori Battalion celebration at Faenza in Italy, when the Germans began shelling. A roof collapsed and nine men were killed, among them, Phil, the eldest of the Campbell brothers. George was hit by shrapnel and his double bass destroyed.

This is the replacement instrument supplied by the Red Cross. It has no maker’s label but was named and dated by George when he received it.

Following the war George and Lew each continued with musical careers, and George continued to use the Red Cross double bass. In 1957 he was described as being “at the top among bass players” (Te Ao Hou, June 1959). It was later used, in New Zealand and Australia, by George's son Phil Campbell.