Archibald MCINTYRE
Per his military service record (regimental no. 2708), Archibald McIntyre enlisted twice in the AIF. Archibald McIntyre was born at Glasgow, Scotland. On his first enlistment (during the Coo-ee March), he gave his age as 31 years and 6 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 2 inches tall, weight 9 stone 10 lbs., with a dark complexion, brown eyes, and dark hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed that he had no previous military service. He completed his medical on the 26th October 1915 at Blayney, and was attested by Captain Eade at Blayney on the 26th October 1915.
After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13th Battalion.
Whilst at Liverpool Camp Private McIntyre went before a medical board on 17th November 1915 where he was deemed unfit for military service due to defective vision. He was discharged on the 29th November 1915.
In a letter dated 16th April 1916 Archibald McIntyre wrote “I was rejected for eyesight but as they have reduced the test I intend to give it another try”.[1]
On the 19th May 1916 Archibald McIntyre applied again to join the AIF. He attended the Royal Agricultural Showground in Sydney, and stated in this application that he had 35 days previous military service in the AIF, and was rejected on grounds of eyesight. He underwent a medical on the 19th May 1916 which he passed. He was attested on the 20th May 1916 at the Royal Agricultural Showground.
Private McIntyre went into camp and began training at Cootamundra on the 23rd May 1916, then to Goulburn on the 22nd June 1916. He remained at Goulburn till the 4th September 1916 when he was transferred to the 56th Battalion and went to Sydney being taken on strength of the 6th reinforcements for the Battalion.
On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Portland N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as father, William McIntyre, 161 Pollok Street, Glasgow, Scotland.
Private McIntyre departed Sydney on the HMAT A40 Ceramic on the 7th October 1916. He arrived in Plymouth, England, on the 21st November 1916. After further training in England he departed Folkestone, England, aboard the SS Princess Victoria for France on the 21st December 1916. He underwent further training in France at the 5th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples. He joined the 56th Battalion on 1st February 1917 whilst it was in reserve and providing fatigue parties at Bernafay south of Pozieres, France.
On the 22nd March 1917 the 56th Battalion was in reserve in the vicinity of Bancourt, France, when Private McIntyre was evacuated to hospital sick. On the 24th March 1917 he was diagnosed to be suffering from Bronchitis. On the 25th March at the 2nd/1st South Midland Casualty Clearing Station Private McIntyre was diagnosed with Cerebro Spinal Meningitis. He died the next day.
Private McIntyre was buried in the Puchevillers British Cemetery, France, on 26th March 1917.
Archibald McIntyre’s headstone at Puchevillers British Cemetery, France (Photograph: S & H Thompson 5/9/2014)
Private McIntyre’s name is commemorated on panel 162 on the Australian War Memorial First World War Roll of Honour.
Note: Archibald McIntyre’s father wrote on his Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour Circular that he came to Australia when he was 22, and that he ‘sailed round world once or twice as a sea apprentice in a sailing ship. Traded from Australia to New Zealand for a time. Joined in the Coo-ee March. Two brothers in British Army (one killed).’[2]
[1] McIntyre, Archibald. Letter to [A. H. Miller], 16th April 1916, Alex Halden (Joe) Miller papers mainly relating to the Gilgandra Coo-ee Recruitment March, New South Wales, 1912-1921, 1939, held at the Mitchell Library (State Library of N.S.W.)
[2] Archibald McIntyre 2708 Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour Circular, http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1068881–64-.PDF
1915 Coo-ee March 