Archibald Biggs

Private, Australian Imperial Force

Archibald Biggs lived in Camberwell, South London and was a student at Alleyn’s before he moved to Australia. After the outbreak of war in August 1914, he decided to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force as part of the Australian Infantry. After being declared as medically fit for service, Archibald was sent for overseas service on the Eastern Front where the Allies had just launched the Gallipoli campaign. During his time in the Dardanelles, Archibald was involved in a number of operations with the AIF that attempted to produce a breakthrough against the Ottoman forces. He was wounded in these operations on 25^th April 1915. After recovering from his injuries, Archibald returned to the front as the Allies prepared to launch a new offensive in May 1915. This offensive saw the Australian and New Zealand forces make some small gains before the Ottoman forces counterattacked. Archibald was killed as the AIF attempted to hold off the attacking Ottoman forces on May 20^th 1915. He is buried at Shell Green cemetery in Turkey.