His files report he was born in Melbourne, went to school in Glen Innes and was living in Redfern when he signed up. He had brown eyes, dark hair and a dark complexion.

Many have searched for Archie, as he is on the German Death List which means a very great chance of being one of those now buried in the Pheasant Wood Cemetery, with the inscription, ‘Known unto God’ on his gravestone.

He was reported missing in action on 20 July 1916. As part of the enquiry into those missing, the Red Cross gathered eyewitness reports where they could

Statement by 2185 Lance Corporal A. WEBSTER, A Company, 30th Bn (patient, 2nd Southern General Hospital, Southmead, Bristol, England), 8 December 1916:

Statement by 779 Private C.E. WIGGINS, 30th Bn, 7 January 1917:

The German army issued a Death Voucher confirming the death of soldier 781 A. Wood on 19th July 1916 in the Fromelles area and in March 1917 they returned his identification disc. File notes show that the disc was despatched to Archie’s next of kin, Mrs Alice Wood, in June 1917. The following month his personal effects were also returned to her – safety razor in case, testament, and letters.

Information and Official records for Archie Wood are few. He had a New South Wales marriage certificate and his attestation papers. They agree on his wife’s name, his age, and his place of birth. But nothing further can be found:

When completing enlistment papers in July 1915, Archie was living in a boarding house and working as a lift attendant. The 1915 polling records for Redfern confirm his boarding house address and in 1913 there is an Archie Wood in nearby Petersham working as a lift attendant. There are no other people named Wood at either address.

Within about a four-month period, Archie enlisted, married Alice, purchased a home on the North Shore - in his name only – and, without a will, went off to war. On his death, Alice had to apply to the courts to gain access to the house title. Administration of Archie’s estate was granted to the Public Trustee because he died intestate. Probate documents show that a house was purchased in Willoughby just prior to departure and that probate was granted to the widow.

It is possible that Archie came by his money by marrying Alice Hamilton Anderson - just eight days before embarkation. Alice came from a line of Scottish immigrants and she was a successful tailoress who moved her business from inner Sydney to the North Shore. Alice’s older sister, Grace, worked with her and was a lifelong companion. Both sisters died in the Katoomba district and left all their wealth to each other with the longest living one leaving everything to the Presbyterian Church. Alice died in 1959 in Katoomba and was cremated at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium. Grace died the following year and is buried in Katoomba. There is no headstone or plaque for either sister.

Researchers also noted that a witness to Alice’s will was a Florence Maria Perry. Was she possibly a relative of Annie Perry, Archie’s mother? To date, investigations have not found a connection.

Other clues to Archie’s family include:

a. To start, we have an unidentified aunt but with a link to Inglewood in Queensland.

The next of kin on the attestation papers originally was “Aunt, Inglewood Post Office, Queensland (in care)” and that changed to his wife when he married. Inglewood polling records, cemetery, and electoral rolls show that there are Wood and Perry families in the area however we cannot connect any one of these to Archie. The aunt – whose name was never specified - could have had a married name and possibly lived on an outlying property, only coming into town on occasions.

Researchers have contacted the Inglewood library for assistance. The contact there has great local knowledge - also working for the Visitors Centre and at reception for Goondiwindi Regional Council – but found no link that may assist.

b. The Glenn Innes connection.

The AIF Project has Archie being schooled at Glen Innes Public School. State Records packets on Glen Innes school between 1893-1910 have been searched with no reference to any Wood or Perry families.

Glen Innes polling records for 1903 list both Perry and Wood families but no connection can be made with Archie, his father (Edward) or his mother (Annie nee Perry). Glen Innes History Museum and Information Centre were helpful but had no relevant records.

c. Other records reviewed as possible sources:

So, despite Archie being on the German death list, and thus the subject of much research and conjecture, we have found no relatives on either side of his family and therefore no DNA donors. Private Archie Wood remains a man of mystery.

We do not know if Archie may have been born without records or assumed his name. But we do know that he died fighting for his country.

If you are able, please help us find relatives of Archie!