BQM Sergeant Archibald Blythe Macvean MID.

George V Territorial Force Efficiency Medal.
50 Sjt. A. B. Macvean, 2nd West Riding Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.

Archibald Blythe Macvean was born in 1881, the second son of James and Ethel Macvean. The 1891 Census records the family living at 33 Manningham Lane, Bradford. At this time the household consisted of eight members: James, (37), Ethel (25), Herbert (10), Archibald (9), Helen (7), Florence (2), James' father - also called James (76) and Sarah Poole, a general servant and domestic. Ten years later, the family were living at 5 Devonshire Terrace, Bradford. A third daughter, Elsie, had been born six years earlier and Archibald, now aged 19, was working as an apprentice tailor, following the same line of work as his father and grandfather before him.

 At some point Archibald had enlisted in the 2nd West Riding of Yorkshire Royal Garrison Artillery Volunteers and, when this unit was incorporated in the newly formed Territorial Force in April 1908, he was the 50th man to re-enlist as evidenced by his new regimental number. The annual two weeks training took place at various camps around the country over the next few years, including Bare Camp (1908 & 1911), Redcar (1909), Okehampton (1910) and Salisbury Plain (1912). The photo below shows Sergeant Archibald Macvean and was most probably taken at one of these annual camps.

By the time of the 1911 census, Archibald had moved to Leeds and was living at 45 Grange View, Chapeltown, with his wife Marie Isabel, who he had married in June 1909. He was employed as a mantle manufacturer and was prosperous enough to employ other workers. On 15th April 1912, Archibald became a father when his first daughter, Jean Marie, was born.

 Archibald was still serving in the Territorials when war broke out in August 1914. The 2nd West Riding  Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, became part of the 49th (West Riding) Division and moved to France in early April 1915. One month later, the Division took part in the Battle of Aubers Ridge. Later on 19th December 1915, the Division was engaged in the defence against one of the first phosgene gas attacks at Wieltje, near Ypres.

Interestingly, Archibald Macvean was mentioned in Field Marshall Sir John French's Dispatch of 30th November 1915 for "gallant and distinguished services in the field." Having been promoted to Battery Quartermaster Sergeant, Archibald would serve on the Western Front untill April 1916, at which time, under the terms of his engagement, he was eligible to be discharged from the army. He had served for over 16 years in the Volunteer and the Territorial Forces.

Archibald Blythe Macvean died at the age of 69 on 18th March 1951 and is buried in the Scholemoor Cemetery in Bradford.

I would like to express my gratitude to Mr & Mrs Wilson for sending me copies of and allowing me to use the two photos of BQMS Macvean.