Stew Campbell joined 830 Squadron in Malta in July 1941, where he flew Swordfish against ships supplying Rommel's Afrika Korps. He was captured by the Italians and held at Montalbo, Padula and Bologna, before being transferred to Marlag Nord in Germany. He escaped in January 1944, after which he was a test pilot with ATDU near Gosport, and then Senior Pilot with 811, the first FAA Mosquito Squadron.