George Archer was born in Thame in 1873 to parents John and Mary Archer (nee Howlett) of Priestend, Thame. He was baptised at St Mary’s church on 28 April 1873, but his father John died later the same year and his mother in 1884.

By 1891 George was age 18, working as a shoemaker and living in Priestend with his three brothers Robert, Philip and William, and two sisters Jane and Sarah.

His regimental number, 4610, indicates that he joined the Oxfordshire Light Infantry during 1893. The 1st Battalion sailed for South Africa on 22 December 1899 arriving in Cape Town on 13 January 1900.

They were almost immediately in action on the Modder river and had a heavy engagement with the Boers at Paardebergat. In the beginning of June the battalion moved up to Kroonstad and garrisoned various posts in that area.

Private George Archer, died of an unknown disease on 15th June 1900 age 27 at Bloemfontein where he is buried.

He is remembered at the Oxfordshire Light Infantry Boer War Memorial at Edward Brooks Barracks, Abingdon and on a memorial plaque in St Mary’s Church, Thame.