Archie Hope Pawley

First Name: 
Archie
Middle Name: 
Hope
Last Name: 
Pawley
Mother's Name: 
Catherine Pawley nee Campbell
Father's Name: 
John Pawley
Date Enlisted: 
Wednesday, August 11, 1915
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Lance Sergeant
Unit: 
13th Battalion
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
Military Medal
Mention in Despatches
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Tuesday, October 7, 1919
Place of Death: 
Keswick Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia
Cause of Death: 
Pneumonia
Details: 

Archie Pawley (Service No 1818, also  recorded on some records as 30/1818 ) was born in Dulwich Hill, Sydney, N.S.W. in 1889 and attended Newington College.

At enlistment Archie was 26 years old, single, and worked as a engineering draughtsman.  He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A35 Berrima with 2nd Reinforcements, 30th Battalion on 17th December 1915.  In Egypt, on 4th March 1916, Archie was transferred to 13th Battalion, and with them was sent to France, arriving on 8th June 1916.

Archie saw distinguished service on the Western Front.  On 3rd September 1916 Archie was recommended for a Military Medal for Bravery in the Field for his work at Mouquet Farm in.  The MM was awarded to Archie on 25 October 1916. 

The citation for the award reads: 'For good and useful scouting work during the attack on Mouquet Farm August 29/30th. He was sent out to observe the progress of the attack on enemy trenches. He performed the duty under very heavy fire of all description and returned with valuable information. For 48 hours he continued to send in excellent reports, working in a dangerous position under trying weather conditions without rest of any sort.' 

On 2nd January 1918 Archie was promoted to Corporal and transferred to 4th Division Headquarters.

Archie continued to serve with distinction, and was recommended for a Mention in Despatches Award on 30 September 1918 (awarded and promulagated in the London Gazette on 31st December 1918 & Commonwealth Gazette on 23rd May 1919).

Archie was promoted to Lance Sergeant on 30th October 1918.

He did not return to Australia until August 1919.  On the ship home he became ill and was taken from the ship when it arrived in Adelaide.  Archie was admitted to Keswick Hospital where he died from pneumonia on 7th October 1919, and was brought home to Sydney to be buried.

Archie is commemorated on the Wollongong War Memorial.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, PAWLEY ARCHIE HOPE

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