Private Archibald Fowler
9481 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby) Regiment
Archibald was born in Ripley in 1886 son of Archibald Fowler, an iron planer born in Duffield and his wife Millicent Ellen (nee Parkes) born Openwoodgate, near Heage. Archie came from a large family having brothers and sisters Clara, Gertrude, Frederick, Violet, John Joseph, Miriam, Arthur, Hannah Ellen, Ann Morley, Albert and Frances Maud. In 1891 the family was at Wood Street, Ripley and by 1901 had moved to the Pentrich Road at which time Archibald aged 15 was employed as a coal miner.
In 1910 Archibald married Martha (nee Marshall) and in 1911 they were living at Lowes Hill, Ripley with their 8 month old daughter Lily. Later in 1911 Archie’s mother Millicent died aged 50.
Archibald joined up early in the war and was part of the British Expeditionary Force, disembarking at the front on 8th September 1914. His service records have not survived but his Medal Rolls Index Card notes that he was at some time a prisoner of war. He was a recipient of the 1914 Star and the British War and Victory Medals.
Archibald is on the 1915 Selston Electoral Roll for Dixie Street, Jacksdale. Towards the end of 1918, Martha and Archibald had another daughter named Ivy.
The Probate Register records the death of Archibald Fowler of 54, Heath Street, Ripley who died on 22nd January 1936 at Britain Colliery, Butterley, Derbyshire and his beneficiary as his widow Martha.