Adele Campbell is an unlikely Legend because her achievement has been recognized long after her death. The Khaki Campbell was a prolific egg producer and became the benchmark on which all other egg laying ducks were compared, quite often in side by side trials more commonly in Asia where ducks are most commonly used for egg production.
The following edited account of the life of Adele Campbell and her medical practitioner husband, was researched by Joseph Batty, a poultry book author.
Dr & Mrs Adele Campbell were pioneers in the world of standard bred poultry. They lived at Rose Villa in The Street, from 1891 until around 1923. The “Campbell” duck was developed by Mrs Campbell around 1900 and, quaintly, the colour was a tribute to those fighting for Queen & country in the Boer war, wearing Khaki uniforms. Adele Campbell enjoyed breeding many off popular breeds of the time, including Brahmas, Silkies, Sultans & Wyandottes. She experimented with many breeds and in l901 she developed the Khaki Campbell from the crossing of a Rouen drake with a Fawn & White Runner, then crossed the progeny with a Mallard. The Khaki is said to be second to none in laying.
The Khaki Campbell was never genetically improved using any of the techniques developed in the 20th Century yet has always been the breed to beat in any laying competition.
Having visited Uley and found the Rose Cottage at 33 The Street, I found the following passage in a Village Newsletter edited by a Margaret Groom.
“Dr. Campbell was the local doctor Uley and attended to his patients by horse & trap. In l910 he purchased a car, the first in Uley, an open car with a hood, driven by his chauffeur, W. Bruton. He was very active in the village and he became a Parish Councillor in l894. He built the Reading Room in The Street for the men and women out of work – it was not only a reading room, but organised games were played, i.e. billiards, table tennis and chess. It provided a refuge for those out of work in the Depression caused by War. Sadly, the building was destroyed by fire in the early l960’s.” (Uley, Owlpen and Nympsfield May 2012 Village News)
On retirement, Dr & Mrs Campbell moved to St. Ives, nr Ringwood. Dr. Campbell died at the age of 94, far away from his beloved Cotswold village. However, they certainly left their mark on our Village and we should be proud of their achievements. “