Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

A labourer from Myponga Archie was born 22 November 1892, his mother was Sarah Ann Cameron (nee Adey) and father Angus.  He was raised as a Methodist.

He enlisted at Keswick Barracks on the 18th of July 1915 in the wave of patriotic enlistments that occurred after the ANZAC Gallipoli Landing.  After training he embarked in Adelaide aboard H.M.A.T. A68 Anchises on the 30th of March 1916.  He disembarked in Egypt in mid-April.  Originally intended as part of the 4th Reinforcements for the 32nd Battalion, he was taken on strength of the 48th Battalion on the 19th of April 1916. 

A short time later he took ill with diphtheria and spent a fortnight in hospital (54th CCS).  He embarked in Alexandria aboard HMT Calcutta on 2/6/16 to join the BEF in France, disembarking on the 9/6/16 at Marseilles.  Archie, together with his Battalion deployed to Northern France.  Shortly after, Archie was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 27th of June. 

Archie, as part of the 48th Battalion fought at Pozieres in July / August where the Battalion suffered 598 casualties.  After this the Battalion moved to a defensive position near Mouquet Farm, and they then moved to Flanders south of Ypres. 

In March 1917 the Battalion followed up the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line and in April /May they fought at Bullecourt and suffered 435 casualties.   

On the 2nd of June 1917 Archie was detached for duty to the 4th Divisional Pack Train and he re-joined his unit on the 14/6/17.  The Pack Trains were logistic support and supply units, transporting ammunition, food, water and equipment to the front lines.

In September/October the 48th fought at Menin Road and Polygon Wood as part of the Battle of Passchendaele (Third Battle of Ypres), taking 200 prisoners, and suffering 369 casualties out of the 621 men that fought.

Archie is noted in his service records as being with his Unit on the 2nd of December, however at some point in late 1917 Archie joined 8th Brigade HQ, as in January 1918, 996 Charles VAN WOUWE of the 30th Battalion, was appointed as a driver to 8th Brigade HQ reporting to Lance Corporal A. A. Cameron. 

The 8th Brigade, including the 48th Battalion, took part in the Spring Offensive in March.  They then fought in the Battles of Hamel (July), and Amiens on August the 8th which was a resounding Australian victory cementing the reputation of General Monash.  Then followed the Hundred Days Offensive which was part of the Allies general advance as they pushed their way to the Hindenburg Line defences around the Somme.  This culminated in late September – early October 1918, when they took part in the Battle of St. Quentin Canal. Here a joint Australian and American force breached the Hindenburg Line.

Following this the Brigade was withdrawn from the line for a well-earned rest and was out of the line at the conclusion of hostilities. Fortunately, Archie enjoyed a fortnight’s leave from late September 1918.

As part of the winding down of the A.I.F. the 8th Brigade's constituent units, including the 48th Battalion, were demobilised in early 1919.

During this time as men were redeployed from their front line responsibilities Archie was appointed as a driver. He left France for England on 31/3/19 and went onto Hurdcott Military Camp and was attached to No. 4 Camp Depot. He embarked to return to Australia aboard HT Port Napier on the 12th of May 1919 and disembarked in Adelaide on 29th of June, being subsequently discharged on the 13th of August.

For his service Archie was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.  As at April 1968 he was living at 74 Ely Street Mansfield Park.  Archie died on the 16th of December 1979.

Brother of William Alexander Cameron, Ewen Cameron, Emily Alice Cameron, Florence Alice Cameron, Ethel Edith Cameron and Amy Rosedew Cameron

On the 1 August 1922 Archie married Nellie May Reynolds at the residence of Rev. A.H. Bell, Prospect, SA. Father of Ian Angus Cameron