VC Action: Adam Archibald (14 January 1879 - 10 March 1957) was a Scottish First World War soldier who enlisted in November 1915. Archibald initially served with the 7th Durham Light Infantry before transferring to the 218th Field Company, Royal Engineers, as a sapper.
At the age of 39, he was awarded the Victoria Cross on the first day of the second battle of Sambre 1918, which was part of the final offensive of the war. The attack was opened on a front of 30 miles from Valenciennes to the Sambre, north of Oisy. At this point the 60-70 feet wide Sambre-Oise canal runs approximately north-south, about 5 miles east of Le Cateau. The canal was first barrier to be encounted by troops in the northern attack. The British XIII and IX Corps reached the canal first. German guns quickly ranged the attackers, and bodies piled up before the temporary bridges were properly emplaced under heavy fire.
On 4th November 1918 near Ors, France, Sapper Archibald was with a party building a floating bridge across the canal. He was foremost in the work under a very heavy artillery barrage and machine-gun fire. The latter was directed at him from a few yards distance while he was working on the cork floats. Nevertheless, he persevered in his task, and his example and efforts were such that the bridge, which was essential to the success of the operations, was very quickly completed. Immediately afterwards Sapper Archibald collapsed from gas poisoning.
Archibald had recuperated enough to receive his VC medal from King George V and participate in the abortive Allied Archangel expedition later that year. He passed away at his home in Leith at the age of 76. |
