Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Henry Albert Archer, a commercial clerk, born 1869 in Leicester and his wife Alice Margaret Archer (nee Hunt, married in the 2nd quarter of 1893 in the Leicester district), born 1870 in Farringdon, Berkshire. Bernard Leslie was born in the 4th quarter of 1896 in Leicester, he had one sibling, Sidney, born 1895 in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 52, Flax Road, Leicester. In April 1911 Bernard was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Frisby on the Wreake, Leicestershire, together with his father a boot and shoe manufacturer, his mother and siblings, Sidney and Margaret Alice, born 1905 in Frisby on the Wreake, also residing in the family home were Bernard’s widowed maternal Grandmother, Hannah Emma Hunt, living on private means, born 1829 in Norwich and his maternal Aunt, Agnes Ellen Hunt, living on private means, born 1863 in Norwich. He was wounded during the Battle of the Somme and died in No. 3 Canadian General Hospital, Boulogne, France.
On Friday November 3rd 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – FRISBY MAN’S DEATH. – Mr. and Mrs. Archer are advised that their youngest son, Gnr., Bernard Leslie Archer, (20), R.F.A., died in a French hospital on October 20th, from shell wounds in the chest. The parents, who had journeyed to France on learning the extent of his injuries, had the melancholy satisfaction of seeing their son.
On Friday December 1st 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. - “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS.” – The following casualties amongst local men are officially reported. All are Private’s except where otherwise shown. The town shown against each soldier’s name is the home of his next-of-kin. Monday’s list included:- DIED OF WOUNDS. ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY. Archer, 135627 Gunner B, (Frisby on the Wreake).