Archibald C. M. Paris

Archibald Charles Paris was born on 9^th November 1861, the youngest of six children of the Reverend Archibald Paris and Caroline (née Delves-Broughton). His father, who had served as Rector of Ludgvan, Cornwall, since 1856, died two weeks before Archibald’s birth. His mother followed in 1863, leaving the children orphaned while still very young. His siblings were Edith Laura (c.1853), Herbert George (c.1854), Helen Constana (c.1856), Mildred Caroline (c.1857), and Rhoda Mary (c.1860). Educated at Eton, Archibald was appointed a Lieutenant in the Royal Marine Artillery on 1^st September 1879 and entered the Royal Naval College shortly thereafter. Following his departure from the College, he was stationed at the gunnery school, HMS Excellent, from July 1881 to January 1882. From August 1883 he served for two years aboard the frigate HMS Agincourt, gaining valuable sea-going experience in the Artillery branch. In 1885 Archibald married Lilian Joan Melvill(e). Between February 1887 and December 1888 he attended the Staff College at Camberley, marking him out early for higher command. In May 1890 their son, Archibald Charles Melvill, was born and he was promoted to Captain. From July until August 1891 he was stationed aboard HMS Sans Pareil while the ship was mobilised. From January 1892 until December 1893 he was posted to HMS Inflexible. From August 1894 Archibald served for five years as Adjutant of the Antrim Artillery Militia and was promoted to Major in August 1898. In October 1899 he joined the Naval Intelligence Department, before being selected for active service in the South African War. During the Second Boer War he was initially employed organising the Kimberley Column, a force composed largely of mixed irregular units. His service in South Africa was marked by distinction, and he was mentioned in despatches on three occasions. In June 1902 he was promoted to Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel for distinguished service in the field. In January 1903 Archibald was appointed Professor at the Royal Marine Academy, Woolwich, becoming Chief Instructor in March 1904. He was promoted to Brevet Colonel in September 1905 and returned to the Artillery Division in April 1906. In June 1907 he was appointed a Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, and in July 1908 he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel. In December 1913 he became Inspector of Recruiting, a post he held on the eve of war.

Following the invaliding of Sir George Aston at Dunkirk, Archibald was promoted to Brigadier-General on 24^th September 1914 and sent out to command the Royal Marine Brigade. On 3^rd October he was promoted to Temporary Major-General and placed in command of the Royal Naval Division. Archibald would lead the Division throughout the Gallipoli campaign, during which he was appointed to the substantive rank of Major-General in October. Following the Division’s transfer to France, he was Mentioned in Despatches on five further occasions. His wartime service was recognised in the 1916 New Year Honours, when he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. As the Division prepared for the assault on Beaucourt, the General Officer Commanding visited the trenches at Serre during the afternoon of 14^th October 1916. While inspecting positions then held by the 190^th Brigade, he was wounded by a shell explosion, sustaining severe injuries to his shoulder, back, and leg. His wounds necessitated the subsequent amputation of his left leg. Major Ernest Sketchley, Assistant General Staff Officer, was killed outright by the same blast. As a result of his injuries, Archibald was forced to relinquish command of the Division and was replaced by Major-General Cameron Shute, whose tenure would prove deeply unpopular.

Archibald’s appointment to the Royal Naval Division was terminated on 12^th April 1917, and two months later he was placed on the retired list, no longer considered fit for further service. In recognition of his wartime contributions he was appointed a Commander of the Belgian Order of Leopold (with Swords) and awarded the Croix de Guerre. He was also made a Commander of the French Legion of Honour and received the French Croix de Guerre. From 1923 to 1933 he served as Honorary Commandant of the Portsmouth Division and was awarded a Good Service Pension in 1925. Archibald Charles Melville Paris died on 30^th October 1937 in Switzerland. The location of his grave was not made public.