Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

ARCHIBALD Francis Callum RANR MB BS

1918-1986

Francis Callum Archibald was born in Adelaide, on 6th October 1918.  He was the son of Francis Archibald and Sarah Shepley, nee Turner. He was educated at Unley High School, and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide. Archibald enlisted in CMF as a private soldier while he was a medical student, in August 1937, and continued with his medical studies at the same time, graduating at a special conferring of degrees in June 1944.

Although Archibald joined the RAN as a surgeon lieutenant soon after completing medicine, in January 1945, he was not mobilised until 31st January 1946, after the official end of WW2.   He was engaged in post-war work, and following training at land bases, Torrens, SA and Cerberus, VIC, he spent a year in HMAS Lachlan, which took part in extensive post-war survey duties in Australian waters. The Lachlan's, Bofors anti-aircraft guns, hedgehog, depth charge rails and throwers were removed, in February 1946, and she resumed operations as a survey vessel in March 1946, until the end of October 1947. Archibald returned to Australia and Rushcutter Naval Base, in NSW, during 1948. He was then appointed to HMAS Labuan, a Mark 111 Tank Landing ship, in January 1949, which was used in support of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE). Following this appointment, Archibald commenced pre-discharge refresher training at the RAH in May 1949, and was discharged on 21st August 1949. 

He married Christine Kyffin Thomas, on 12th April 1947, in St Cuthbert’s Church Prospect.  She was the daughter of Owen Kyffin Thomas and Jean Thornton, nee Creswell of Prospect, SA. They were to have six daughters. Following his discharge from the RAN, Archibald remained in the RANR and was promoted surgeon lieutenant commander on 22nd January 1951. He was still serving in 1957 and remained on the inactive reserve list until his death in 1986. They were living in Sydney, NSW, while he was still serving in the RAN, but moved back to SA, where he took up a general practice in Gawler. Archibald then moved to general practice in Blackwood, SA.  Francis Callum Archibald died on 1st October 1986 and is interred at Centennial Park Cemetery Pasadena, SA. His wife Christine, and their six daughters survived him.

Source

Blood, Sweat and Fears III: Medical Practitioners South Australia, who Served in World War 2. 

Swain, Jelly, Verco, Summers. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2019. 

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD