About Reginald Archer

Reg was the youngest of nine children born to Thomas Francis and Lizzie Archer. He was born in Adelaide on the 01/05/1892 and attended Christian Brothers College in Ballarat.

Broome Connection

Reg’s older brothers Tim & John (Jack) Archer commissioned a pearling lugger Eleanor to be built in Fremantle for the pearling industry in 1903. Other luggers were to follow and Reg along with his other brother Douglas came to Broome to work on the luggers around 1912.

War Service

Reg enlisted early in 1915 and was assigned to the 28th Battalion, A Company which embarked from Fremantle in June 1915. Reg contracted enteric fever (typhoid) in October 1915 and was sent back to Australia to recuperate. Once recovered he was shipped back overseas in March 1916 and this time was posted to the 46th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement and arrived in France in June 1916. The unit’s first major battle was at Pozieres. After Pozieres, the 46th spent the period up to March 1917 alternating between trench duty and training and resting behind the lines. Reg Archer was promoted to a Lance Corporal in July 1917.

In April of 1918 the 46th Battalion played a role in turning the great German offensive by defeating attacks around Dernancourt. It was during this battle that Reg lost his life. According to family sources a green frog hopped on Reg which he took as a good omen. Minutes later he was killed by a shell. In a letter to his mother, his superior officer eulogised his efforts to get the other men to attend church parades.

Enlistment Details

Newspaper Articles

 

Other Online Resources

View Reginald Archer at the Australian War Memorial
View Reginald Archer at the National Archives of Australia