Major General S C M Archibald MC

Microfilm copy of a ts memoir (346pp in 3 volumes) recording his family background, military career and experiences during both World Wars, beginning with his initial military training for the Royal Artillery at Woolwich (1909 - 1911) and describing artillery tactics and the internal organisation of a horsed battery, then active service with various RFA units during the First World War including involvement in the retreat from Mons, the Battle of Le Cateau where he was wounded in September 1914, and the Battles of Aubers Ridge, 1st and 2nd Ypres, Loos, the Somme, Messines and Nieuport, describing trench conditions, criticising tactics and referring to a brief period as staff instructor at the 4th Army Artillery School near Amiens (October 1917 - March 1918). After the war he served in India (1919 - 1920 and 1928 - 1932) before returning to the United Kingdom to attend Staff College (1926 - 1927) and serve as a Captain at the War Office (1921 - 1925) and at the same location with Military Intelligence (M13) (1933) before being posted to command a Field Battery at Deepcut (1935 - 1936), a new Anti-Aircraft Brigade at Coventry (1937 - 1940) and the 11th AA Division (1941 - 1943); he then served as Director General of Anti-Aircraft in Canada (1943 - 1944) before being placed on the retired list. After the Second World War, Archibald ran the Overseas Service of the Soldier's, Sailor's and Airmen's Families Association and from 1948 to 1950 worked in Germany for the Council of British Societies for Relief Abroad and as Director of the Religious Affairs Branch of the Control Commission.