Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Archer a shoemaker, born 1850 in Thurlaston, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Archer (nee Cox), born 2nd December 1866 in Collingbourne, Wiltshire. John was born on the 4th August 1891 in Enderby, Leicestershire and was baptised on the 11th October 1891 in Enderby parish church, his siblings were Florence, born 1889 in Thurlaston and was baptised on the 22nd December 1889 in Thurlaston parish church, Alice, born 1894 and baptised on the 30th July 1894 in Narborough parish church, Doris Annie, born 1897 and was baptised on the 4th July 1897 in Narborough parish church, and Edith, born 1899 and baptised on the 9th July 1899 in Narborough parish church, the latter three siblings were all born in Narborough, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at Meeting Lane, Narborough. In April 1911 John was absent from the family home in School Lane, Narborough, residing there was his father, a boot maker, his mother, a school caretaker and his siblings, Doris, a domestic servant, Edith, a schoolgirl and Arthur Thomas, a schoolboy, born 5th May 1905 in Narborough, John was employed as a farm labourer, and was residing at The Old School House, Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire. In 1939 John’s widowed mother was residing in the family home in School Lane, Narborough.
John was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 3 May-17 - BOYELLES. The attack on the village of FONTAINE-LES-CROISILLES was made on this day. There were three objectives, 1st SENSEE RIVER from approximately T.18.b.5.3 to U.2.b.5.5 2nd junction of SENSEE RIVER and SUNKEN ROAD at T.18.b.5.3 – U.7.c.6.5 – U.7.d.7.8 – U.14.a.7.2 – U.4.c.4.3. The 64th Infantry Brigade to bomb south eastwards down HINDENBURG LINE. Two tanks were attached to the 110th Infantry Brigade. Zero hour was at 3.45 am (summer time) and the attack started under a creeping barrage. The Battalion was disposed in two waves of two lines each, with a wave of moppers up behind. From right to left “A” Company (Lieutenant J. R. GLOVER) “B” Company (Captain A. G. ASTLE) “C” Company (Major T. L. WARNER) formed the line of attack each Company having a two platoon frontage. “D” Company (2nd Lieutenant J. W. CORBETT) was drawn up in two lines, 60 yards in rear. The formation was two waves, each of two lines 10 yards between lines and 60 yards between waves with “D” Company as moppers up. The 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT attached on the left of the Battalion. On the right, the flank was secured by the possession of the HINDENBURG LINE as far as the BLOCK, beyond this the flank was to be secured by the 64th Infantry Brigade. Bombing attack down the line. The morning was very dark, sunrise was not until 5.23 am (summer time), the dust and smoke from our own barrage and that of the enemy which opened almost simultaneously, making it impossible to see more than a few yards ahead. Direction was lost rather early and the line swung over to the right, being compelled thereto by the 18th Division on the left, crossing the front of the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and pressing then to the right. By 6.00 am it became evident that the attack had failed. No progress had been made by the 64th Infantry Brigade bombers in the HINDENBURG LINE, and the front of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT was outflanked, in parts surrounded, and with a prospect of being cut off. The left flank (“C” Company) had been held up by excessive machine gun fire and took up a position in the sunken road running into FONTAINE-LES-CROISILLES through U.1.b. The remainder of the Battalion were on a line roughly 300 yards South of the jumping off place BROWN TRENCH T.6.a., N.36.c and d to road in O.31.c. Here the Battalion remained and at about 11.30 am, it was reinforced by the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. This line was held throughout the day and consolidated. No assistance was given by the two Tanks during the attack, both of them breaking down. The following casualties were suffered by the Battalion during the action, Officers. Captain A. G. ASTLE and 2nd Lieutenant F. E. PRATLEY killed, Major T. L. WARNER, 2nd Lieutenant G. B. JOHNSON, 2nd Lieutenant R. J. HARRIS, 2nd Lieutenant R. L. SENNETT and 2nd Lieutenant P. H. HILL wounded, Lieutenant F. R. OLIVER missing believed wounded and Prisoner of War, 2nd Lieutenant F. W. H. CLARKE wounded and Prisoner of War, 2nd Lieutenant’s F. B. PITTS and W. HARRIS Prisoners of War. Other ranks. Killed 19, wounded 101, missing 168, died of wounds 3. Total 11 officers, 291 other ranks.