Name
Anthony John Archer
27 Feb 1898
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
02/05/1917
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
686853
Royal Field Artillery
D Bty. 330th Bde.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CAMBRIN MILITARY CEMETERY
J. 20.
France
Headstone Inscription
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Wheathampstead memorials, Bexley Men, War Memorial, Bexley, Kent, St Mary's Church, Bexley, Kent
Pre War
Anthony John was born in Wheathampstead on 27 Feb 1898 (baptised 17 Jun 1898 in Richmond, Surrey), the eldest son of George Archer, an electrical wireman, and Florence Kate (nee Dewar).
On the 1901 Census Anthony with his parents and younger sister Rose (born 1900) were living at 9, Dunstable Road, Richmond, Surrey. On the 1911 Census Anthony was at school in Bexley, Kent. The family living at 100, High Street, Bexley, were Douglas (born 1902), Lilian, (born 1904), Jeannie (born 1906) and Annie (born 1909). His father was working as an electrician at Bexley Asylum, his mother is not recorded.
Wartime Service
Anthony volunteered for service of 4 years on 18 Feb 1914 as Gunner 512 in 4th Home Counties (Howitzer) Brigade Royal Field Artillery which was a Territorial Force Unit and was posted to 5th (Kent) Battery based at Bexley, Kent. He gave his occupation as Grocery Assistant at Mrs Matthews, 21 High Street, Bexley, Kent.
At the Outbreak of the Great War he was embodied on 6 Aug 1914. At this time Anthony may have been given the serial number 3024 (he would become serial number 686853 in the general renumbering of Territorial Force in 1917). On 22 Apr 16 he was posted to D Battery 297 Brigade RFA. Anthony left for France arriving in Le Havre on 9 Feb 1917 where he was posted to D Battery CCCXXX (330) Brigade RFA. 330 Brigade RFA was assigned to 66 (East Lancs) Division (a Territorial Force Division) but may have been supporting other divisions when Anthony was killed in action on 2 May 1917.
Additional Information
Mrs R Dewar, 110 High Street, Bexley, Kent. ordered his headstone inscription: "GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN". War Gratuity of £12 10s and arrears of £11 9s 7d to Rose Dewar.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
