DEAN, Archibald Robert
| Service Number: | 9139 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 14th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Herne Hill, Kent, England , 10 November 1883 |
| Home Town: | Cremorne, North Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Educated at Alleyn’s until 1896. |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Died of wounds, 4th London General Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, England , 2 December 1916, aged 33 years |
| Cemetery: |
West Norwood Cemetery and Crematorium, London, England He is named on a shared Private Headstone. As the lettering on the Private Headstone is partially missing in places the CWGC have added a "Gallipoli" style Plaque. |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 22 Dec 1915: | Involvement 9139, 1st Dermatological Hospital, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '23' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Kanowna embarkation_ship_number: A61 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Dec 1915: | Embarked 9139, 1st Dermatological Hospital, HMAT Kanowna, Sydney | |
| 2 Dec 1916: | Involvement Lieutenant, 14th Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 14 Battalion awm_rank: Lieutenant awm_died_date: 1916-12-02 |
Help us honour Archibald Robert Dean's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Cathy Sedgwick
The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”
Archibald Robert Dean was born at Herne Hill, Kent, England on 10th November, 1883 to parents George & Jane Dean (nee Bennett).
A death was registered in the March quarter, 1896 for Jane Dean, mother of Archibald Robert Dean, in the district of Lambeth, London, England.
George Dean, father of Archibald Robert Dean, remarried on 30th March, 1897 to Emily Harryman. They married in St Peter Cornhill Church, London.
From information provided by his father-in-law for the Roll of Honour – Archibald Dean served in the Boer War.
Archibald Robert Dean married Kate Howden Dempster in 1912 in Tasmania.
The 1914 Australian Electoral Roll for the division of Kooyong, subdivision of Kew, Victoria recorded Archibald Robert Dean, Manufacturer’s Agent, & his wife – Katie Howden Dean, Home Duties, of 39 Miller Grove, Kew.
He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 3rd September, 1915 in Melbourne, Victoria as a 31 year old, Business Manager (as listed on Embarkation Roll, however from information provided by his father-in-law for the Roll of Honour – Archibald Dean was a Warehouseman) from “Nardoo”, Reed Street, Cremorne.
Archibald Robert Dean was posted to Dermatological Hospital as Warrant Officer.
On 22nd December, 1915 Warrant Officer Archibald Robert Dean, Service number 9139, embarked from Sydney, NSW on HMAT Kanowna (A61) on 22nd December, 1915 with the Dermatological Hospital.
He was transferred to 6th Training Battalion at Cairo on 14th March, 1916 as Instructor.
Warrant Officer Dean was transferred from 1st Dermatological Hospital to 14th Battalion at Serapeum on 18th March, 1916 with rank of Sergeant.
On 29th April, 1916 Sergeant Dean was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant order G.O.C. 4th Division, subject to approval by G.O.C. A & NZ Forces.
He proceeded from Alexandria on Transylvania on 1st June, 1916 to join B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) & disembarked at Marseilles, France on 8th June, 1916.
On 18th August, 1916 2nd Lieutenant Dean was promoted to Lieutenant (A.I.F. List 82).
Lieutenant Archibald Robert Dean was reported to be wounded in action in France on 28th August, 1916 at Field Ambulance. He was admitted to 3rd Casualty Clearing Station on 28th August, 1916 with G.S.W. (gunshot wound/s) to Head. Lieutenant Dean was placed on the Seconded List on 29th August, 1916 (A.I.F. Orders List 91). He embarked from Boulogne for England on 5th September, 1916 on Hospital Ship Jan Breydel.
[2nd Lieutenant Archibald Robert Dean was reported on the 14th Battalion War Diary to have been wounded on 27th August, 1916.]
(2nd) Lieutenant Archibald Robert Dean was recommended for the Military Cross on 30th August, 1916 by Lieutenant Colonel Dare. His action was commended by Major General H. V. Cox, Commanding, 4th Australian Division - location Mouquet Farm “for his organisation of, and successful entry with bombing parties into enemy strong point 27, adjoining MOUQUEST FARM on night 27/28th August. He led and sustained his men in a most gallant manner, arousing in them the greatest devotion and admiration, and they recount a dozen incidents of his personal acts of heroism. He threw bombs at close quarters into enemy position under great danger until severely wounded, and although greatly outnumbered, he obstinately held on to the position gained until overwhelming shell fire and bomb attacks forced him to retire. He refused to be carried to the Dressing Station although his Brain was exposed and his left arm paralysed.”
He was admitted to 4th London General Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, England on 6th September, 1916 with G.S.W to Head & paralysed left arm (slight).
On 11th November, 1916 Lieutenant Dean was reported to be dangerously ill while a patient in 4th London General Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, England. His condition was listed as Stationary on 27th November, 1916.
Lieutenant Archibald Robert Dean was awarded the Military Cross on 14th November, 1916 (A.I.F. List 25th October, 1916) (The London Gazette – 14 November, 1916 – page 11073; Commonwealth of Australia Gazette – 19 April, 1917 – page 921)
The next-of-kin of Lieutenant Archibald Robert Dean was advised on 9th October, 1916 that he was seriously ill. Advice was sent to next-of-kin on the following dates : 10th October, 1916 – progressing favourably; 17th November, 1916 – condition improving; 18th November, 1916 – dangerously ill; 1st December – condition stationary.
The London Gazette – 14 November, 1916:
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
Lt. Archibald Robert Dean, Inf.
For conspicuous gallantry. He led a bombing attack with great gallantry and determination. Later, although severely wounded, he continued at his post and held the position gained. He set a fine example to his men.
Lieutenant Archibald Robert Dean died on 2nd December, 1916 at 4th London General Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, England from wounds received in action in France.
Correspondence was sent from 4th London General Hospital to Officer in Charge, Records, A.I.F., London: “I beg to confirm my telegram to you of to-day informing you that 2nd Lt. Dean, 14th A.I.F., who was admitted to this Hospital from France on 6th September last, died this afternoon, and that his relatives were present.”
He was buried in West Norwood Cemetery & Crematorium, London, England – Plot number 82/83.26753 and has a Private Headstone. His death is still acknowledged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The Burial Register recorded “removed from Mandesley Hospital Denmark Hill.”
(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/west-norwood.html
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