Photo of plaque L406APhoto of co-located plaques L406, L406A and L406BPhoto of Dianne Sorenson and Kaylene Murie accepting the plaque as the great grand daughters of Private Earnest Archer. Photo: D. Nicolson.
Rank
Private
Service number
WX14748
Unit
2/16 Battalion
Cause of death
Killed in Action
Place of death
Gona, Papua New Guinea
Date of death
11 December 1942
Age
36
Plaque number
L406A
Co-located plaques
L406 - PTE Edward Archer
L406B - PTE Arthur Forth
Dedicated by
Family Members on 18 November 2017
More information

Biography presented during plaque dedication:

Private Ernest Patrick Archer was born in Collie, Western Australia in February 1906. He was the tenth born of eight sons and six daughters to Robert and Catherine Archer.

He was educated at St Brigid’s catholic school in Collie and, after leaving school, worked underground in the Collie coal mines.

He enjoyed swimming, shooting and fishing; and assisted with provisions hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed a flutter on the horses with his dad.

Ernie married Marion Steward in 1926, they had two children, Ethel and Lawrence. Prior to enlisting, he was working as a yardman.

He joined the second Australian Imperial Force in July 1941 at Claremont and was posted to general reinforcements western command.

He then transferred to 1 training battalion. He embarked at Fremantle for the middle east on U.S. convoy 13 and was taken on strength of 2/16 battalion.

The battalion, attached to the 21st brigade, that was assigned to the 7th division was deployed to the middle east in 1941 where it undertook defensive duties along the Egyptian-Libyan border, before taking part in the Syria-Lebanon campaign fighting against the Vichy French.

At conclusion of the campaign, the 2/16 remained in Lebanon. They returned to Australia early 1942, following the Japanese entry into the war.

In August 1942, the 2/16 were committed to fighting along the Kokoda track, and later fought at Buna and Gona.

Private Ernest Patrick Archer, service number WX14748 of 2/16 Battalion, was killed in action at Gona, Papua New Guinea on 11 December 1942.

He was 36 years of age and is interred at Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery Papua New Guinea.

All of Ernest’s brothers served in the first or second world wars. His plaque is placed alongside that of his brother Private Edward Archer of 16 Battalion and friend Private Arthur Forth of 28 Battalion.

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