Corporal Archie Brierley
19937 8th Bedfordshire Regiment
Killed in Action 19th October 1916,
in France, aged 20
Lived at 1 Garstang St.
Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial France
Commemorated on the Holy Trinity Memorial

Archie was killed by a shell which hit five members of his Battallion, killing three of them and wounding the other two. He was formerley a weaver at Messrs. Simpsons Albion Mill and was a good and enthusiastic footballer. He enlisted in March 1915 and served in France for fourteen months without any leave.His cousin Pte A Thornton enlisted with him and they served together until September 1915. Another cousin Pte. A. Whittaker served in the King's Own and was discharged as unfit for further service, all three attended St Oswald's mission.

Five Hit Together
BURNLEY CORPORAL’S DEATH (Burnley Express 4/11/1916)

On October 19th a shell hit five members of the Bedford Regt., killing three of them, and wounding the other two. One of the three killed was Corpl. Archie Brierley (19937), son of Mr. And Mrs. Brierley, of 1 Garstang-street, Burnley, and a grandson of ex-Councillor J. Riley. Twenty years of age, he was formerly a weaver at Messrs. Simpson’s Albion Mill, and was connected with the St. Oswald’s Mission . He was a good and enthusiastic footballer. He enlisted on March 8th, 1915 and served in France for fourteen months without any leave. He had escaped any injury up to the time of being killed. One of his cousins, Pte. A. Thornton , enlisted at the same time, and they served together up to Sept. 15th. Another cousin Pte. A.. Whittaker has seen service with the King’s Own, and has now been discharged as unfit for further service. All three cousins attended St. Oswald’s Mission .
The sad news of Corpl. Brierley’s death was conveyed to his mother in the following letter from one of his best pals. Bob Jackson :- “Dear Mrs. Brierley,- I sincerely regret that I have to inform you of the death of your poor son. He had just been promoted corporal, and was promising well, with not a stain on his name. He was loved and respected by all his platoon. We thought it was best to break the news to you, as sometimes the War Office is a long time in notifying parents of their poor sons loss, which I know will be irreparable. Poor Archie was killed by a shell on the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 19th. Poor Archie suffered no pain whatever as the shell killed three, including Archie, instantly and wounded two others. I hope you will accept the deepest sympathy from myself and the rest of his platoon, as he was loved and respected by all whom he came in contact with. I shall miss him very much, as we thought so much about him. He was dearer to me than a brother. Archie, Albert, another man , and myself shared our parcels and whatever we had . I found the parcel on Friday morning, and found ten shillings in it ; so as a true pal I am returning it back to you. The food and cigs. I have shared out with the rest of his platoon, and we thank you for it. I should be glad if you would sent me Albert’s address, and then I will drop him a line, as they were two little favourites in the platoon . Archie was always cheery ; he was never down hearted. Now I will close with my sincerest regrets.”

Burnley Soldier Killed
An Enthusiastic Footballer (Burnley News 4th November 1916 )

The death in action, on October 19th, is reported of Corporal Archie Brierley (19937), of the Bedford Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. Brierley, of 1, Garstang Street, Burnley, and grandson of ex-councillor Riley. Twenty three years of age, he was formerly a weaver at Messrs. Simpson’s Albion Mill. He enlisted along with his cousin, Pte A. Thornton, in the Bedford Regiment on March 8th last year, and they had the satisfaction of serving together, having been in France fourteen months. Another cousin, Pre. A. Whittaker, is serving in the 2nd King’s Own Regiment. They were all connected with St. Oswald’s Mission, Burnley. Deceased was keen on sport, and an enthusiastic footballer.