Name
Archie William French
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/09/1918
38
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
21472
East Surrey Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PERONNE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Plot V, Row K, Grave 11.
France
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
St John the Evangelist Church Memorial, Watford, Sun Engraving Company Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Stephen and Louisa Mary (nee CORBETT) FRENCH of Watford; husband of Louisa (nee RANCE) FRENCH of Watford.
His parents married 31 May 1874 at St Mary Magdeline, Bermondsey, Surrey. Stephen died 7 January 1925 in Watford aged 73, and was buried 12 January in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Louisa died 1933 in Watford aged 79, and was buried 25 March, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Archie was born 5 June 1880 in Bermondsey, and attended first Beechen Grove Infants’ School, Watford; then Victoria Boys’ School, Watford, from 18 January 1887 to 11 March 1891. He married 14 September 1907 at St Peter’s, Berkhamsted, Herts, and resided in Watford. Louisa never remarried, and died 6 November 1967 in Watford aged 84.
On the 1881 Census, aged 9 months he lived in Bermondsey, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1891 Census, a golf caddy aged 10, he lived in Watford, with his parents and eight siblings. On the 1901 Census, an operator and screener aged 20, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and eight siblings. On the 1911 Census, a process operator aged 30, he still lived in Watford, with his wife and no children.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Bedford; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action.
Additional Information
His headstone inscription reads: “THOUGH GONE FROM MY SIDE FOR EVER IN MY MEMORY LOUIE"
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Archie in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 5 October 1918; plus two In Memoriams in the issue dated 20 September 1919.
Unfortunately, Archie’s Service record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
