Date of birth:

July 21st, 1889 (Swinford, Ireland)

Date of death:

May 1st, 1916 (Vlamertinghe, Belgium)

Buried on:

Commonwealth War Cemetery Vlamertinghe
Plot: I. Row: A. Grave: 20.

Nationality:

Irish

Archibald was the youngest of John and Caroline’s children, being born on Sunday 21 July 1889 at Swinford, Co. Mayo. Following his mother’s death in 1895, Archibald appears to have resided with his paternal grandparents. The 1901 Census of Ireland shows him as resident with them at Wolfe Tone Street, Sligo.

Archibald was educated at Ranelagh School Athlone and Mounjoy School, Dublin. Records indicate that he was also a member of Wanderers Rugby Football Club, Dublin. Although no emigration records survive, research shows that Archibald emigrated to Canada in 1910 and was employed by the Department of Railways and Canals, Dominion Government of Canada, as a Transitman and Leveller on the Hudson Bay Railway from 1910 to 1914.

Following the outbreak of war, Archibald returned to the United Kingdom and enlisted in the Irish Guards, being posted for training to Warley Barracks, Essex. He was attached to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion Irish Guards and issued with the service number 7956. By October 1915, Archibald had been promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal and at that time he applied and was recommended for a commission. In his application, Archibald requested a commission to a Howitzer Battery of the Royal Field Artillery. His application was successful with notice of his appointment to the rank of Second Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery being published in the London Gazette of 8 November 1915.

Following training, Archibald was posted to 75th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. This Brigade formed part of the Divisional Artillery for the Guards Division. 75th Brigade were equipped with Howitzers. These guns fired a high explosive shell in an arc, targeting enemy dugouts and defensive structures. Archibald arrived in Belgium on 24 March 1916 and was posted to B Battery. At the time, the Brigade were at Ypres, Belgium. From information available, it can be established that 75th Bde were in action near Vlamertinghe, a small village two miles west of Ypres at the end of April. The war diary for 1 May 1916 states:

HQ returned to advanced wagon line at Rome Farm Vlamertinghe. Batteries remained in action.

Archibald was killed in action on the first of May, having been with his unit for only five weeks. Research indicates that he was the only member of 75th Brigade killed that day. He is buried at grave I.A.20 at Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery. The family arranged for the inscription, ‘Deeply mourned by father, sister and brothers’ to be placed on his headstone.

Archibald’s sacrifice is commemorated on War Memorials and Rolls of Honour at Mayo Peace Park, Castlebar, Ranelagh School Athlone, Wanderers Rugby Football Club, Dublin and at Holy Trinity Church, South Woodford, London, along with his brother Wm Robert

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• Photo 1: Frizelle Family
• - Jonathan Frizelle
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