Major General Ian Ross Campbell, CBE, DSO & Bar (23 March 1900 – 31 October 1997) was an Australian soldier and businessman.

Ian Ross Campbell was born in Moss Vale, New South Wales, on 23 March 1900,[1] the younger of the two sons of Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Ross Campbell, a barrister and soldier, and his wife Mary Fraser née Stewart.

From 9 September 1926 to 3 November 1926 he served on exchange in India with the Royal Scots Fusiliers of the British Army.

On return to Australia, he was assigned to the headquarters of the 1st Division, and then was adjutant and quartermaster of the Sydney University Scouts.

[4][5] He married Patience A. Russell at St James' Church, Sydney, on 26 April 1927[2] and had a home "Pine Lodge" in Moss Vale.

[9] Promoted to captain on 14 December 1930, Campbell served as aide de camp to the Governor of New South Wales from 11 November 1932 to 5 June 1934.

His accurate and daring reconnaissance contributed largely to the selection of the Brigade Assembly Area and start line.

[4]Campbell became the commander of the 2/1st Battalion, with the temporary rank of lieutenant colonel on 8 April 1941, soon after he arrived on Crete.

The Germans had powerful air support, and the Australians were isolated from the start from the rest of the garrison of Crete.

On May 21 he personally organised and commanded a most successful two company attack by 2/1 Bn, which largely due to his leadership recovered an important ridge lost the previous day.

He commanded the reception camp for freed Australian prisoners from 11 May to 16 September 1945, with the temporary rank of brigadier, after which he returned to Australia, arriving back in Adelaide on 21 October 1945.

[4] On 19 November 1945, Campbell was appointed Deputy Adjutant General of the Australian Military Forces, with the substantive rank of lieutenant colonel from 30 September 1946.