Adam Archibald

Adam Archibald VC (14 January 1879 – 10 March 1957) was a Scottish First World War recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Adam Archibald
Born14 January 1879
Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland
Died10 March 1957 (aged 78)
Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland
Buried
Warriston Crematorium, Edinburgh
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service1915 - 1919
RankSapper
UnitDurham Light Infantry
Royal Engineers
Battles/warsFirst World War Allied intervention in North Russia
Awards Victoria Cross

In 1915, Archibald enlisted with the 7th Durham Light Infantry before transferring to the 218th Field Company, Royal Engineers during the second battle of the Sambre. At the age of 39, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for action while his unit was attempting to bridge the Sambre–Oise Canal. Archibald received his medal from King George V at Buckingham Palace in May 1919. From his citation:

On 4 November 1918 near Ors, France, Sapper Archibald was with a party building a floating bridge across the canal. He was foremost in the work under a very heavy artillery barrage and machine-gun fire. The latter was directed at him from a few yards distance while he was working on the cork floats. Nevertheless he persevered in his task and his example and efforts were such that the bridge which was essential to the success of the operations was very quickly completed. Immediately afterwards Sapper Archibald collapsed from gas poisoning.[1]

Freemasonry

He was initiated into Freemasonry in Lodge Elgin & Bruce, No.1077], (Limekilns, Fife, Scotland) in 1912. He later affiliated to Lodge St James Operative, No.97, (Edinburgh, Scotland).[2][3][4]

The Medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Engineers Museum, Chatham, Kent.

Death

Adam Archibald died at his home in Leith at the age of 78. He was cremated at Warriston Crematorium.[5]

References
  1. "No. 31108". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 January 1919. p. 308.
  2. Cooper, Robert L D, Ed. 2010. Famous Scottish Freemasons, p. 77. ISBN 978-0-9560933-8-7
  3. http://www.scotlandswar.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/pdf_Scottish_VCs_0.pdf
  4. The Great War 1914-1918 Victoria Cross Freemasons. Granville Angell. 2014. p. 43. ISBN 978-0-9563661-7-7
  5. http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/scoedinb.htm

Further reading
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