Archibald rests in Stirling Old Town Cemetery. He is the first Spanish flu victim I have encountered whose headstone is an actual broken column. The headstone is cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and is in excellent condition.
Whereas the second wave of the Spanish flu pandemic between October and January was the most lethal, especially to those aged between twenty and forty, Archie died during the first wave, the flu leading to fatal pneumonia. He died at the Dundee War Hospital on July 12th aged only thirty-two whilst stationed at Broughty Ferry on the outskirts of the city. He served in the Twenty-Second Scottish Fire Command of the Royal Garrison Artillery.
A solicitor to trade, Archie joined his father John (also a solicitor) in the family firm as a partner after qualifying. According to his obituary in the Stirling Observer on July 16th, it was planned that he would take over the firm upon John’s retirement. Tragically this never came to fruition. He was survived by his wife of sixteen months and a young daughter.
His obituary described Archie as being of “quiet equable temperament” and “popular with everyone who knew him”.
Broken Columns 