Archibald Douglas Pettigrew
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Archibald was born on 25th March 1891, and his baptism is recorded at St Mark's Church Peckham on 24th May 1891. His parents are listed as Archibald Douglas and Bessie Pettigrew née Hooper; they were living at 6 Ellory Street, Albert Road, Peckham. His father's occupation was given as a clerk. His father Archibald Douglas senior was born in 1868 at Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, his mother Bessie in 1863 at Starcross, Devon. Their marriage was registered in the June quarter of 1890 at Newton Abbott Devon registration district. They went on to have a further three children, Lilley Agnes b1894 Loughborough, Frederick Charles b1895 Loughborough and Bessie Doris b1908 Nottingham. In the 1911 census the family are living at 55 Exeter Road, Nottingham, and are shown as Archibald Douglas head 43 yrs, a secretary to a lace manufacturer, who is living with his wife Bessie 46 yrs and their three children Lilly 17 yrs, Frederick Charles 16 yrs a clerk and Bessie Doris 3 yrs. Archibald Douglas junior cannot be found in the 1911 census which infers that he had already emigrated to Australia.
Archibald enlisted on 17th March 1916 in Scone , New South Wales, Australia and served with the 5th battalion Australian Pioneers. He gave his religion as Church of England and his occupation as farm labourer. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs A.D. Pettigrew, of 55 Exeter Road, Sherwood Rise, Nottingham, England. He embarked at Sydney Australia on 3rd May 1916 on HMAT Clan Mcgillvray to join the British Expeditionary Force in Egypt arriving at Alexandria on 13th June. Joining the 5th Pioneer Battalion on 17th June, he left for Marseilles on 19th June, landing in France on 25th June. He was admitted to 14th Australian Field Ambulance on 22nd July 1916, transferring to 32nd Stationary Hospital the following day, suffering from wounds received during the Battle of Fromelles 19-20th July. He succumbed to his wounds, complicated by perotinitis, and was buried at Wimereux Communal Cemetery, France (Plot I, Row O, Grave No. 17a).
Personal inscription on CWGC headstone: 'In fond remembrance of a dear son.' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, July 1916: ‘Pettigrew. Killed in action, on July 22nd, Private Archibald Douglas Pettigrew, aged 25, of Australian Imperial Forces, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Pettigrew, 55, Exeter-road.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
