Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Alfred Brocklehurst a gentleman, born 1857 in Middlesex and his wife Florence Jane Brocklehurst (nee Little, married on the 20th October 1885 in St. Peter’s Church, Pimlico, Middlesex), born 1858 in Middlesex. Archibald Henry, was born in the 1st quarter of 1889 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his siblings were Peter Orme, born 1886 and Peggy, born 1887 both his siblings were born in Middlesex, in April 1891 the family home was at The Spinney, Melton Mowbray. In March 1901 Archibald was absent from the family home at The Spinney, Melton Mowbray, residing there was his father, his mother and siblings, Peggy and Nancye, born 1894 in Melton Mowbray, Archibald was residing as a pupil boarder at Private School, High Street, Rottingdean, Sussex. On the 12th December 1910 in the Melton Mowbray district, Archibald’s father died aged 52. In April 1911 Archibald was absent from the family home at The Spinney, Melton Mowbray, residing there was his widowed mother and siblings Peggy and Nancy, Archibald was serving as a 2nd Lieutenant with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps., and was stationed at New Barracks, Gosport, Hampshire. Archibald first entered the theatre of war in France on the 13th August 1914, he died of wounds received at Delville Wood, France. He was awarded the 1914 Star, British and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 27 Jul-16 – The Battalion and the 23rd ROYAL FUSILIERS attack:-
Object – To attack DELVILLE WOOD and to hold it at all costs establishing a line on North, North East, South East faces of the wood 150 yards from the edge, also establish and consolidate a line on PRINCESS STREET.
Dispositions prior to attack – 23rd ROYAL FUSILIERS on left or West half of wood. 1st KING’S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS on right or East half of wood.
Battalion left, on a line drawn North to South through REGENT STREET.
“D” and “B” Companies in British front line. “C” and “A” Companies supported by two Companies ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT in SOUTH STREET.
85 men of “B” Company holding permanently 3 strong posts and 2 Lewis Guns on South East edge of wood. 1½ platoons “A” Company and 2 platoons, Machine Guns, Lewis Guns, HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY hold South East face and Eastern portion of SOUTH STREET. The whole forming a permanent Garrison.
Battalion Headquarters in SOUTH STREET TRENCH opposite ANGLE TRENCH.
Aid Posts in dug-outs in S.17.d.9.9.
Machine Guns under Captain GRANT.
Telephone communication to be established between Battalion Headquarters and advancing Companies.
Artillery barrage on copying ink line.
27 Jul-16 – DELVILLE WOOD. 6.10am? – 5.10am
Orders to 1st KING’S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS.
On barrage lifting at 7.10 am to red line on map, “D” and “B” Companies to advance and take PRINCESS STREET line and consolidate.
“C” and “A” Companies to occupy British front line.
1 Company ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT to advance and form a defensive flank on East edge of wood between PRINCESS STREET and my left strong post.
1 Company of ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT in support.
8.10 am. Barrage lifts to Green line on map. “C” and “A” Company advance through “D” and “B” and consolidate red line.
8.40 am. Barrage lifts to German trench North of wood – “C” and “A” Companies to advance to Green line on map, consolidate.
“B” Company to form a defensive flank on East and “A” Company to throw back its right flank to form up with “B” Company.
PRINCESS STREET to be held at all costs.
The Attack.
7.08 am. “D” and “B” Companies under our barrage advanced and took PRINCESS STREET with small loss and proceeded to consolidate the German trench which was full of wounded and dead Bosche and 3 Machine Guns smashed up by our shell fire. Prisoners were taken.
7.06 am. “C” and “A” Companies advanced in support of British line and 1 Company ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT followed and formed to defensive flank this was formed too far back from the East edge of wood – 1 Company ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT was in support.
7.20 am. German retaliation during our barrage was not very heavy, a great many Germans were killed running away up the hill to their trench North of wood.
7.13 am. It was reported to me by telephone that “B” and “D” had reached and taken PRINCESS STREET line and were consolidating it. Signallers laid line.
7.26 am. Rifle fire from right flank.
7.30 am. Prisoners began to come in.
7.45 am. Heavy rifle fire.
8.08 am. “C” and “A” Companies went forward under barrage through “D” and “B” and occupied line marked red on map and consolidated it. Extra lines laid to “B” Company and lines to “C” and “A” Companies.
8.10 am. Stretcher bearers go up.
8.25 am. Our heavies were reported shooting short, on our captured line. I sent message to Artillery Liaison Officer in dug-out in LONGUEVAL village.
8.31 am. More prisoners come in.
8.35 am. Telephone line from my Battalion Headquarters to 23rd ROYAL FUSILIERS still intact.
8.37 am. Our heavies still shooting short on “B” Company in PRINCESS STREET line.
8.44 am. Still on telephone to “B” Company and “D” Company.
8.38 am. “C” Company (Lieutenant COLLINS) and “A” Company (Captain SLATER) advance under barrage to line 150 yards South of North edge of wood, “A” Company throws back its flank towards “B” Company. 23rd ROYAL FUSILIERS reach to within 50 yards of edge of wood. Officer Commanding “C” Company went over to the Officer Commanding 23rd ROYAL FUSILIERS and got him to withdraw in line with my Companies.
8.51 am. Captain HOWELL “D” Company reports very few casualties – digging hard.
9.00 am. Captain STAFFORD “B” Company reports good many casualties chiefly from our own shell fire. Also facing North East and right, about 50 yards from edge of wood.
9.26 am. “A” and “C” Companies report consolidating front line.
9.35 am. “B” Company ask for bombs.
9.40 am. Captain STAFFORD reported the Germans were preparing to counter attack and were coming over in large parties from the North and other parties were beginning to creep up on his flank.
10.00 am. “B” Company was enfiladed by shrapnel and 4.2’s in PRINCESS STREET at the same time a heavy bomb attack commenced, and casualties became very heavy.
10.30 am. Message came urgently asking for bombs which were sent up. Owing to the ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT not having thrown their right flank out far enough to the edge of the wood and not being connected up with “B.” The Germans were able to creep up behind PRINCESS STREET line. The Germans gained 70 yards but were driven back 40 yards chiefly owing to the gallantry of Sergeant WOODWARD. This bomb attack decimated “B” Company and “D” Company also suffered heavily – Captain HOWELL was wounded about 9.00 am but continued to carry on his duties acting with great gallantry, it was greatly due to his tact that the German counter attack was driven off with tremendous loss to the Germans.
11.00 am. At the same time “C” and “A” Companies were heavily attacked from North and North East fighting took place at 15 yards range with bombs and rifle fire. Germans suffered very heavily both Company Commanders were wounded, Lieutenant COLLINS and Captain SLATER.
11.20 am. I tried to send up S.O.S. rockets but only two went off properly the rest had got damp. Fighting went on incessantly chiefly sniping from shell holes the Germans trying all the time to creep in on my flank between the various lines.
11.35 am. 99th Brigade received my message saying objective reached.
1.00 to 2.30 pm. “B” and “D” Companies heavily attacked from right flank more bombs arrived and some bombers from 23rd ROYAL FUSILIERS, Lance Corporal BELL of the 23rd ROYAL FUSILIERS behaving with great gallantry and greatly assisting by his fine throwing in driving back the Germans. The German method of bomb attack was to bomb up the new trench with snipers on each flank.
2.45 pm. The Germans put a very heavy barrage on old British front line, SOUTH STREET. The Dressing Station and LONGUEVAL village and LONGUEVAL ALLEY traversing the road between ANGLE TRENCH and SOUTH STREET with a Machine Gun from the direction of trenches North of WATERLOT FARM. This barrage was kept up till dark making reinforcing very difficult.
22nd ROYAL FUSILIERS arrived (exact time unknown) some were used as carrying parties for bombs and ammunition. The remainder I ordered to assist in defending my right flank on the East face with right on left bomb post towards PRINCESS STREET. Owing to the difficulty in providing guides for various parties the 22nd did not take up the position I intended them to. Previously exact time unknown owing to my Adjutant being wounded and my Orderly Room Clerk being also wounded, who had a great many of my notes and messages, I had asked for reinforcements as I was very hard pressed and losing very heavily, and I was afraid that my right flank might be broken. I chiefly wanted them to reinforce me for the night as I expected the Germans to make a big counter attack in the dark and with gaps in my East flank owing to having insufficient cover, I was doubtful if I could hold them back. About 5.15 pm. Two Companies 17th ROYAL FUSILIERS and 17th MIDDLESEX REGIMENT arrived having suffered heavily coming up.
6.00 pm. It was reported to me that my centre post on South East flank had been knocked out by shell fire. Germans attacked and were driven back. 2 Platoons 17th ROYAL FUSILIERS reinforced posts with two Lewis Guns. I then sent 1 Company 17th ROYAL FUSILIERS to reinforce and eventually relieved my “C” Company I have no definite information as to what happened to them. I then arranged where the Companies of 17th MIDDLESEX REGIMENT should go to relieve my Companies and if necessary to try and reinforce before night.
This was difficult owing to the heavy sniping going on and also to the fact that they would be very exposed to view. “A” “B” “D” Companies went up gradually by Companies to PRINCESS STREET arriving about 8.00 pm and reported to Captain STAFFORD and took up defensive flanks on the right and left.
9.20 pm. One Company 17th MIDDLESEX REGIMENT arrived to relieve “A” Company and immediately started consolidating. Later my “B” and “D” Companies were definitely relieved and PRINCESS STREET taken over by the 2 Companies 17th MIDDLESEX REGIMENT.
10.30 pm. 2 Platoons 17th MIDDLESEX REGIMENT reinforced my “C” Company.
28 Jul-16 – 6.30 am. 30 more men from the 17th MIDDLESEX REGIMENT arrived and “C” Company was relieved. “B” and “D” Companies 1st KING’S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS held left post and trench running into it with 1 Company 22nd ROYAL FUSILIERS immediately on their left. The 17th MIDDLESEX REGIMENT going up to my strong posts.
A report came to me just before dark, time unknown, that both my left and centre posts had been captured and that the Germans were massing to attack. The Officer in the left post (2nd Lieutenant TURNER) having been killed, this was reported to Colonel FENWICK 17th MIDDLESEX REGIMENT as it made my position very insecure and if information was correct, extremely critical. I eventually decided to use the Company of the 22nd ROYAL FUSILIERS to form a defensive flank behind the two posts and to dig themselves in. As I was waiting for General KELLETT to come up at 11.00 pm I was unable to go round until about two hours afterwards. On arriving I saw Captain GELL 22nd ROYAL FUSILIERS who informed me that it was a false alarm and that the posts were all intact and strongly held and he had not formed the defensive flank. I verified his statement from the Sergeant Major of “D” Company who was next to strong post and then reported to Colonel FENWICK that the situation was extremely satisfactory. During the night stretcher bearers recovered a great many wounded. The Germans continued to shell the wood and LONGUEVAL all through the night.
29 Jul-16 – MONTAUBAN ALLEY. In the early morning I withdrew my Battalion to MONTAUBAN ALLEY. I received the greatest assistance from 2nd Lieutenant MALCOLM MACKINNON, HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY 5th Brigade who worked unceasingly by supplying me with his own bombs, small arms ammunition and men and bombers to carry up bombs and small arms ammunition to the firing line. It was greatly owing to this that I was able to repel some of the bomb attacks. He also obtained leave from his Colonel in case of extreme emergency to assist me with 2 platoons and later with 1 Company, but these I never required as other reinforcements arrived. The 17th ROYAL FUSILIERS and the 17th MIDDLESEX REGIMENT gave me every assistance possible and their men worked extremely well in consolidating.
Major BUCKLEY 17th ROYAL FUSILIERS was extremely useful and gave valuable help. Casualties:- 14 Officers killed and wounded. 308 N.C.O.’s and men.
1.Captain and Adjutant A. H. BROCKLEHURST, reported died of wounds.
2.Captain R. H. SLATER, wounded and missing, since reported dead.
3. Lieutenant C. COLLINS, died of wounds.
4. Captain E. L. HEWELL, killed.
5. 2nd Lieutenant C. R. S. TURNER, 3rd DORSETSHIRE REGIMENT, killed.
6. 2nd Lieutenant A. V. BAILEY, killed.
7. 2nd Lieutenant J. W. E. PAUL, missing, since reported dead.
8. 2nd Lieutenant H. E. GILL, 3rd DORSETSHIRE REGIMENT, wounded.
9. 2nd Lieutenant W. J. TAYLOR, wounded.
10. 2nd Lieutenant J. E. M. SKINNER, wounded.
11. 2nd Lieutenant C. F. WITT, wounded.
12. Lieutenant The Hon. F. S. TRENCH, wounded.
13. 2nd Lieutenant T. I. STEVENSON, wounded.
14. 2nd Lieutenant N. H. NOBLE, wounded.
Signed E. B. Denison Lt. Col.
Comdg. 1st K.R. Rifles.
After being relieved the Battalion filed out of the DELVILLE WOOD independently and we were all back in support trenches in front of MONTAUBAN village by 8.00 am. A very hot day. Soon after 1.00 pm we got the order to move back about 1¾ miles into Reserve in BRESLAU TRENCH the old German front line trench. The Battalion paraded at 3.00 pm and got back without any trouble. That morning we heard that ARCHIE BROCKLEHURST had died of wounds, a very heavy blow to the 1st Battalion, and one which will be deeply felt by scores of Riflemen. BRESLAU TRENCH proved moderately uncomfortable, only two or three dug-outs and practically no protection against shell fire. A very hot day. The Battalion remained in BRESLAU TRENCH. About 9.00 pm we were shelled for about 10 minutes and had one man killed and one wounded. During the day we received congratulatory messages on the capture of DELVILLE WOOD from Sir D. HAIG, General Officer Commanding 4th Army, General Officer Commanding 13th Corps, General Officer Commanding 2nd Division, Brigadier 99th Brigade.
30 Jul-16 – BRESLAU TRENCH. A very hot day, nothing of interest occurred. Except continuous heavy shelling.
31 Jul-16 - BRESLAU TRENCH. A very hot day, nothing of interest occurred. Except continuous heavy shelling.
On Friday August 4th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – CAPT. ARCHIE BROCKLEHURST KILLED. On Monday Mrs. Alfred Brocklehurst, of The Spinney, Melton Mowbray, received a telegram from the War Office announcing that her son, Captain Archie Brocklehurst, of the King’s Royal Rifles, had died of wounds. The deceased officer, who was very popular with his men, had been out with his regiment almost since the beginning of the war, and had twice previously been wounded. Deceased was very keen on hunting. Whilst home on leave during the period of convalescence he went out several times with the local packs. On January 8th he met with an unfortunate accident whilst hunting with the Belvoir from Eastwell. Almost at the outset of the day’s sport hounds were running towards Goadby Hullamore in the wake of an outlier which had been roused near Piper Hole Gorse, when his horse put one of its feet into a rabbit hole and rolled on him. He sustained a broken collar bone and dislocated shoulder, besides receiving concussion, but made a rapid recovery, and was to rejoin his regiment. Captain Brocklehurst was the younger son of the late Mr. Alfred Brocklehurst, and a nephew of Lord Ranksborough. The utmost sympathy will be extended to the bereaved mother, brother, and sisters.