Stretford WW1 

Godfrey Archer

Rank:PrivateNumber:1451 (CWGC)
Ship/Rgn/Sqn No:07th Bn
Name of Rgt or Ship:Manchester Rgt
Died:12/11/1918Age:26
Country of burial:FranceGrave Photo:Yes
Cemetery or Memorial:Caudry British Cemetery
Town Memorial:Stretford
Extra Information:
Born during the December quarter 1891 in the Chorlton R.D. - ref: 8c/939,
the son of Bill & Emily Archer.   I have not been able to trace his parents
on any census return.

1901 Census - 65 Queen Street, South Manchester.   Nephew - aged: 9 - born:
Liverpool.     Head of household - Emily Smith - Widow - aged: 56.

1911 Census - 6 Atkinson Street, Cornbrook, Manchester.    Nephew -
Unmarried - aged: 19 - occ: Ceiling Wax Maker - born: Hulme.    Head of
household - James Beresford - Married - aged: 32 - occ: Carter Cleansing
Department - born: Hulme.    Also Elizabeth Beresford - Wife - aged: 33 -
born: Embrough, Somerset.    Plus their two young children.

Transferred to No. 224929: the 239th Area Employment Coy. Manchester Rgt -
Labour Corps.

His Medal Index Roll confirms that he was a Private in the Manchester
Regiment - No. 277758 and later a Private in the Labour Corps - No.
224929.

From the above information and the fact that he died the day after the end
of the war, It is likely that at sometime during the war he had been badly
wounded and after recuperation, had returned to duty, but was no longer fit
enough to fight, so was transferred from the Infantry into the Labour
Corps.

He could have been wounded on the last day or two of the war and died soon
after that wounding.  There are a number of men buried in Caudry Cemetery
who died around the 12th November.   Or he could have died from his earlier
wounds, which could even have been a gassing.   Gas victims were often
susceptible to the Influenza virus that was rife at that time and this
could have supervened into Pneumonia (from which most Flu victims died).

M.I. - "As we loved him, so we miss him.  Fond remembrance.  Aunties B &
P".
Memorials found on:
Stretford Borough Memorial Book
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