Henri John ARCHER

Henri John ARCHER Update Details

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ARCHER, Henri John

Service Numbers:	VX39872, V7097
Enlisted:	7 July 1940
Last Rank:	Major
Last Unit:	2nd/8th Armoured Regiment
Born:	Brunswick, Victoria, Australia , 27 May 1907
Home Town:	Balwyn, Boroondara, Victoria
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Insurance Superintendent
Died:	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia , 24 July 1971, aged 64 years, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery:	Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne Banksia, Wall ZJ, Niche 01
Memorials:

World War 2 Service

7 Jul 1940:	Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Major, V7097, 7th Infantry Battalion, Commenced full-time duty with his existing CMF Unit at Mt Martha, Victoria (had been serving part-time as an officer in CMF since 2nd Sept 1927).
7 Jul 1940:	Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Major, VX39872, 2nd/8th Armoured Regiment
21 Feb 1941:	Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Major, VX39872, Joined Australian Imperial Force from CMF
28 Jul 1941:	Transferred Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Major, 2nd/8th Armoured Regiment
17 Apr 1943:	Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Major, VX39872, 2nd/8th Armoured Regiment, Embarked for service in New Guinea. Returned to Australia 9th June 1943.
3 Sep 1943:	Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Major, VX39872, 2nd/8th Armoured Regiment, Embarked for service in Rabaul. Returned to Australia on 6th February 1944.
8 May 1946:	Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Major, VX39872, Appointed as member of War Crimes Courts with HQ 8MD.
10 May 1946:	Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Major, VX39872, Embarked for duty with War Crimes Courts in Rabaul. Returned to Australia on 15th August 1946.
26 Nov 1946:	Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Major, VX39872, 2nd/8th Armoured Regiment

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Biography contributed by Karan CAMPBELL-DAVIS

Henri John ARCHER was born in Brunswick Victoria, Australia, on 27th May 1907, to parents William Thomas and Hetta (née LAWSON) ARCHER. In 1934, Henri married Stella Florence COLLER, and they had 3 children.

Living in Balwyn, Victoria, and employed as an Insurance Superintendent, Henri commenced full-time duty as an officer in the Citizen Military Forces from 7th July 1940, until 20th February 1941 (number V7097). His appointment in the rank of Major with the 7th Infantry Battalion was due to him having served part time as an officer in the CMF since 1927.

On 21st February 1941, Henri joined the Australian Imperial Force and was appointed as a Major, with the number VX39872. Following the completion of various armoured corps training courses at Puckapunyal, he was taken on strength with the 2nd/8th Armoured Regiment. On 17th April 1943, Henri embarked for service in New Guinea, for a period of 2 months. He again embarked on 3rd September 1943, for service in Rabaul, returning to Australia on 6th February 1944.

Following the end of the War, on 8th May 1946, Henri was appointed as a member of the War Crimes Courts with HQ 8MD, and embarked for duty with the War Crimes Trials in Rabaul two days later. Henri returned to Australia on 15th August 1946, and was subsequently transferred to the Reserve of Officers (Armoured Corps) list for the 3rd Military District (Victoria) on 27th November 1946. He was awarded the Efficiency Decoration, as well as the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, 1939-45 War Medal and the Australia Service Medal. He was also issued Returned from Active Service Badge number A343705.

Henri died in Melbourne on 27th July 1971, aged 64, and his ashes are interred in the Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Banksia Wall ZJ, Niche 01.

Compiled by Karan CAMPBELL-DAVIS from historical records kept by Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria, the National Archives of Australia, and Find A Grave website.

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