An army veteran turned rugby powerhouse, Mike Campbell-Lamerton was a warrior in every sense of the word.
The physically-imposing Scotsman is renowned as one of the great second rows of his generation, leading the British & Irish Lions into their 1966 Tour of Australia and New Zealand.
However, to say he had to endure adversity in his journey to the top would be a profound understatement.
Born in the Royal Naval Hospital in Valletta, Malta, Campbell-Lamerton experienced the harsh realities of war early on in his life, losing his father in 1944 to the Second World War.
Then, at 15 years of age, his life was nearly brought to a premature end when he was struck in the chest by a javelin, only just escaping fatal injuries.
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This would be far from the last time Campbell-Lamerton brushed with death as he embarked on a career in the military.
While stationed in Korea with the British Army, he came within a slight motion of an early grave when he trod on a landmine.
After hearing the faint and feared click, he remained deathly still as the corporal with him, who had fortunately worked in bomb disposal during World War II, defused the device.
Three years later, during the EOKA campaign in Cyprus, Campbell-Lamerton mystified medics as he survived a 60-foot fall from a helicopter in full combat gear.
Despite sustaining serious leg, hip and back injuries, he managed to make a remarkable recovery – regaining the physical capabilities necessary to reach the pinnacle of rugby.
During his years of service, Campbell-Lamerton was a regular fixture on the rugby pitch, playing for his regiment (The ‘Dukes’), the Army Rugby Union and Combined Services.
Having honed his skills in the army, he would go on to enjoy spells in club rugby at Halifax, Blackheath and London Scottish.
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However, where he enjoyed his most success was on the international scene.
After making his debut for Scotland against France in January 1961, Campbell-Lamerton became a staple of the side for the next five seasons, making 23 caps and captaining the side twice.
Quickly making an impression for the Bravehearts, he earned a berth in the 1962 British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa, playing all four internationals at number eight.
Establishing himself as a formidable talent in the Lions ranks, it wouldn’t be the last time Campbell-Lamerton donned the famous red.
Four years later, he would be once again selected for their Tour of Australia and New Zealand – this time with a surprise bump in role.
Despite no longer being the skipper of his national side, Campbell-Lamerton was unexpectedly given captain duties for his second Lions Tour in 1966, beating Welsh back row Alun Pask to the honours.
Things didn’t go as smoothly as many would have hoped. Facing an All Blacks side that had never been better, the Lions found themselves on the wrong end of a series whitewash.
With the team in a state of despondency, he would soon become the last leadership figure standing as manager Des O’Brien left for a reconnaissance mission to Fiji, while coach John Robins lay in hospital with an ankle injury.
Leaving Campbell-Lamerton in sole control of a squad struggling as much on the pitch as they were off it, his dutiful handling of the situation earned the adoration of his teammates, who went on to speak incredibly highly of him.
“Mike was a decent man and much-maligned”, said Brian Price, his second-row partner in three of the tour internationals.
“We knew how hard he was working and it was because we respected his efforts that we stuck together.”
Campbell-Lamerton would make the courageous decision to relinquish his captaincy and step down from the Test, feeling the team would be better served by someone else.
He handed leadership duties to David Watkins, who would later hail the Scot as someone he “greatly admired”.
The curtain closer on Campbell-Lamerton’s career in rugby, he returned to serve in the British Army, rising to the rank of colonel.
Later recognised for his services to the sport, he would be awarded an OBE in 1979 – five years after first receiving an MBE.
However, Mike wouldn’t be the last of the Campbell-Lamerton bloodline to stamp their mark in the rugby world.
All three of his sons, Jeremy, Michael and Ian, went on to play for London Scottish, with Jeremy emulating his father’s achievements by earning international honours with Scotland between 1986 and 1987.
After being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2001, Campbell-Lamerton fought vigorously for four years before succumbing to the illness in 2005, passing away aged 71.
A man who continued to defy the odds of survival throughout his storied life, he’s remembered as one of the rugby greats of his time, both on and off the field.
