Born to Peter and Susan Grey at Stroud in 1890, Archie was the youngest of 6 boys. Giving his hometown as Girvan, Great Lakes, New South Wales, nothing is known of his formative years apart from being a labourer.
Whilst Archie’s first application for enlistment was rejected due to teeth and a hand injury, 8 months later, on the 1st of February 1916 aged 23 years and 5 months his second enlistment application with the 2nd Reinforcements, 34th Battalion was successful.
Formed in January 1916 at Maitland Showground the 34th Battalion was to become part of the 9th Brigade, 3rd Division. After initial training, the 34th Battalion embarked in Sydney and sailed to Europe where the 3rd Division concentrated in the United Kingdom to undertake further training prior to joining the other four divisions of the AIF that had been transferred from Egypt in mid-1916. After five months of training on the Salisbury Plain, the battalion arrived in France in November 1916. Despite the 3rd Division’s transfer not being complete until February 1917, the 34th battalion was moved up to the front line soon after its arrival, taking up a position on the 27th of November 1916.
Embarking at Sydney on the 4th of September 1916 aboard the ‘HMAT A15 Spirit of England’, Archie and the 2nd Reinforcements arrived at Plymouth on the 29th of October to join the 34th Battalion on the Salisbury Plain. During training, Archie was admitted at Fovant Hospital (14 Km from Salisbury) between the 21st to 25th of November suffering from an ulcer. The 2nd Reinforcements proceeded overseas from Folkestone aboard the ‘Princess Victoria’ on the 20th of December arriving at Etaples on the 21st. On the 17th of January 1917 Archie departed Etaples and was taken on strength 34th Battalion the next day.
During that Christmas, the Australians endured the worst winter Europe experienced in 40 years. On the 26th of February at Rouen, Archie was reassigned the service number 1917A (to differentiate his service number from the year) and between the 11th to the 20th of March he underwent a sniper course. Despite being at the front since late November, the battalion’s first major action did not come until mid-1917 when the British shifted their focus towards the Ypres sector in Belgium and the 3rd Division was committed to the Battle of Messines, the prelude to the Battle of Ypres which was to commence in mid-July, it was planned to be conducted in 3 stages.
As part of II Anzac Corps on the 7th of June, the 34th Battalion, along with the rest of the 9th Brigade, was tasked with leading the division’s assault. Beginning their approach march late on the 6th of June, they were caught in a German gas bombardment that inflicted heavy casualties; nevertheless, they arrived at the Line of departure on time and, after a number of mines were exploded in front of their positions, the assault began. The exploding mines destroyed a large part of the German line and as a result initial resistance was quickly overcome. By 5 am on the 7th of June, the division had gained the crest of the Messines Ridge and dug-in to defend against a possible counterattack, with the 34th occupying a position around Grey Farm.
The second objective for the 3rd Division was to consolidate the southern defensive flank of the attack, digging-in astride the river Douve with its right flank in the new craters at Trench 122. They defeated several hasty German counterattacks. The left flank of the division was anchored by a captured German strongpoint.
The third objective for the 3rd Division was to advance 600 yd (550 m) either side of the river Douve, consolidating their hold on a rise around Thatched Cottage, which secured the right flank of the new Messines position. Early on the 11th of June, the Germans evacuated the Blauwepoortbeek sector. British observation from the Oosttaverne line proved to be poor, which led to the order to advance further down the slope. On the 14th of June, the II Anzac Corps was to push forward on the right from Plugstreet Wood to Trois Tilleuls Farm and Hill 20 and another 1,000 yd (910 m) to the Gapaard spur and Ferme de la Croix.
It was during the time of consolidation between this battle and the 3rd Battle of Ypres that Archie was “Killed in Action” on the 1st of July 1917 in the position on the south side of a hedge about 100 yds SSW of Middle Farm and 100yds W of the road just NW of Messines.
Personal effects returned to his mother consisted of just letters and a diary.
Awards: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Cemetery: Messines Ridge British Cemetery V A 14, Flanders, Belgium.
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour;
Stroud Cenotaph;
Gloucester Memorial Clock Tower.
“Lest We Forget”
Portrait courtesy Peter Sneddon (VWMA)