Archibald Jefferies was born in London England in 1895 to Thomas Edwin and Liz Jefferies. A trained Butcher, Archibald immigrated to Sydney Australia in 1913 and eventually settled in Walaroy, Kelso, New South Wales. On January 22 1916, feeling loyal to the country of his birth and his adopted one, Archibald enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force.
On April 14 1916, Archibald embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic. Arriving in England in June, Archibald was admitted to the hospital due to illness. In September 1916, Archibald was assigned to the Headquarters of the AIF depot, where a month latter he was again sent to hospital for illness.
On February 25, 1917, Archibald was charged with absenting himself without leave from 12-2-1917 to 20-2-1917. He was sentenced to 18 days Field Punishment #2 and forefiture of 21 days pay. F.P. #2 was similar to F.P. #1, except the soldier was not attached to a fixed object, just shackled.
After months of more training another stint in the hospital (with scabies) Archibald was eventually assigned to the 45th Battalion and posted to France in March 1918. During this time period the AIF was engaged fighting off the German offensive of that Spring. Archibald and the 45th Battalion stayed in the Somme region through the late Spring and early Summer.
On June 16 1918, the 45th Battalion was in the lines near Daours. That afternoon a German barrage shelled the trenches were C Company was located. 10 soldiers were wounded, 1, Archibald, was killed. He was buried in Daours Communal Cemetery Extension (Plot III, Row C, Grave No. 40.)
Pte. Archibald Jefferies, 45th Battalion AIF, found after 92 years.
Service Record courtesy of the National Archives of Australia.
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