David Verschoyle-Campbell was the son of Major-General William Henry McNeile Verschoyle-Campbell CIE OBE and Ethel Mary Verschoyle-Campbell (née Pilkington) of Baily, Co. Dublin, Republic of Ireland.  He was the husband of Merle Davos Verschoyle-Campbell (née Bain).

He joined the submarine branch in 1940 and prior to his command of HMS STONEHENGE he was successively, the Navigating Officer, Torpedo Officer and First Lieutenant of HMS TORBAY under the command of the then Lieutenant Commander A C C Miers VC. During this period he was awarded the DSC and Mentioned in Despatches.

Selected for early command he became, at 22 years of age, the youngest submarine commanding officer in the Royal Navy and the CO of HMS STONEHENGE. During his first patrol in Eastern waters, STONEHENGE sunk a Japanese seaplane carrier in a most determined and successful attack, for which feat he was awarded the DSO “for outstanding courage, skill and devotion to duty in successful patrols in HM Submarines” – See London Gazette of 2 May 1944.

In commenting  on the patrol report for that operation Admiral (Submarines), Rear Admiral Claud Barry, wrote:

“The loss of HM Submarine STONEHENGE (P.232), with the Commanding Officer and Ship’s Company, is greatly regretted; she had an excellent report on completion of working up and, judged by this patrol, shewed (sic) promise of rendering distinguished service……Verschoyle-Campbell was an outstanding young officer with a fine record and, had he survived, I feel sure he might well have been amongst the most successful submarine Commanding Officers of this war.”

He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial on Panel 81 Column 1.