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Major Archibald Valencey Becher

Photograph of a page in a book showing the portrait of a soldier wearing a tie. There are writings on top and at the bottom, the edges are decorated with a vine and maple leaves.

Maj. Becher

Ca. 1915. “Southwestern Ontario Memorial Album.” The Regimental Rogue. Accessed June 20, 2017.

Scroll for Memorial Plaque Issued to Becher’s Wife
Ca. 1920. RCRM2015.031.027.

A medal in a shield shape, obverse only. There is a cross and maple leaves and writings; the shield is suspended to a ribbon through a bar reading ARCHIBALD BECHER. A second bar is added and reads "Campbell Becher."

International Order of Allied Mothers in Sacrifice
Ca. 1916, issued to Katherine Campbell, mother to Lieut.-Col Becher and Maj. Becher. Capt. Michael O’Leary Collection, London, ON.

Born in London, ON, 3 August 1877, Archibald was the younger brother of Lieut.-Col. H. C. Becher. A physician by trade, Archibald was an experienced officer, having served with the 7^th Regiment of Fusiliers, The Royal Canadian Regiment in the Boer War (1899-1900) and several artillery units. He signed the Attestation Papers for service overseas in October 1915 as a Major with the 33^rd Canadian Infantry Battalion. Before sailing overseas, he was hospitalised with pneumonia in Halifax, where he died on Christmas day of 1915. The Memorial Cross was mailed to both, his wife, Flora Adine Becher and his mother, Katherine Becher, in May 1920. Flora Adine also received his medals and the Memorial Plaque with scroll.

He is commemorated on page 5 of the First World War Book of Remembrance (Memorial Chamber in the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill).

Grave: family grave, Woodland Cemetery, London, ON.