Archibald “Archie” Mainwaring Chitty

Archie was born in 1892 at Tintaldra, Victoria. He was the second-youngest of eleven children to Phillip Mainwaring and Agnes (née Kersey) Chitty of Tintaldra.

Archie enlisted on March 8 1915, in Melbourne. He was allotted the Service Number 935 and placed in A Company of the 23rd Battalion of the 6th Infantry Brigade. He stated his occupation as a stockman, and his father, Phillip, was listed as his next of kin. Archie embarked on HMAT A14 Euripides at Melbourne on May 10 1915. 

In July of 1915, Agnes received a letter from Archie. He was in A Company, 23rd Battalion and was so proud of his unit that he sent his mother the words of the song that they had written. The lyrics were published in the July 29 1915, edition of the Corryong Courier.

“COMPANY SONG

(A Company  23rd Batt., A.I.F.)

Tune.- “British Grenadiers”

For we are going far lad’s, to do what we ought to do.

We’ve heard our Country call lads, to fight for the Red, White and Blue.

And though we’ve not yet got right there,

We’ve bravely venture anywhere,

And keep ‘A’ Company’s good name fair,

As men of the Twenty-Third.

CHORUS. Tune: “Rule Britannia”

So hail our Allies,

We’ll follow where they go.

Through thick and thin, we mean to win

And conquer every foe.

Some of us have left sweethearts, and others parents dear,

Who anxiously await news of our good name to hear,

And so we must keep up our hearts,

And proudly play Australia’s part,

And have “A” Company first to start

As men of the Twenty-Third.

CHORUS

There’s some p’raps won’t return lads, to the Country that they love;

But they’ll have done great things lads, to keep our name above.

And all the glory be to those,

Who fighting, find their last repose;

So fight, as good old England shows,

As men of the Twenty-Third.

CHORUS

So give the Germans hell, lads, when you get on their tracks,

With Cartridge, and with bayonet you’ll make them turn their backs.

And so, remember us they will,

A somewhat peppery, bitter pill,

And let “A” Company - be still,

The best of the Twenty-Third.”

The 23rd Battalion landed at ANZAC Cove on September 4 1915, and took over the Lone Pine trenches. Between then and their evacuation in December, they would be rotated daily through this area with the 24th Battalion. 

In early 1916, Archie was at the Western Front, having been transferred from the 23rd Battalion to the 6th Machine Gun Company. In early October 1916, he would spend two weeks in hospital in France suffering from an unrecorded illness. From mid-November 1917 to late March 1918, Archie would be in England at the Machine Gun Training Depot at Grantham. Before heading back to France, the 6th Machine Gun Company was absorbed into the 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, so he rejoined this unit in late March.  On October 11 1918, he was promoted to Lance-Corporal. 

In August of 1918, Archie would be awarded the Military Medal for two of his actions.

“On the 9th August 1918 during a daylight advance at LA FLACQUE near AMIENS, Private CHITTY”S gun team was held up by a point blank fire from an enemy anti-tank gun. By skilful [sic] manoeuvring this man got his gun into position and fired on the crew of the anti-tank gun killing three and, for the time being, putting the gun out of action. While doing so three shots were fired from this gun which narrowly missed him and his gun. On the 31st August 1918, during the attack on MONT ST. QUENTIN Pte. CHITTY showed great coolness and resource in getting his gun into action, in spite of heavy enemy shell fire, and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy.”

Archie was hospitalised in Rouen, France, in early December 1918 with influenza. By Christmas, he had been discharged from hospital and was back in England. On January 25, he embarked on the HT Delta for a return to Australia. His discharge was finalised on May 9 1919. For his service during the war, he was awarded the Military Medal, the 1914/15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.

Upon returning from overseas in 1919, Archie married Alice Wilson. By 1922, Archie and Alice were farming in the Woodleigh area near Phillip Island, Victoria. They remained here until the mid-30’s when Archie joined the Public Service, and the couple moved to 4 Argyle Street in Moonee Ponds. By the mid-50’s, they had moved to 48 Williamson Road, Footscray North. In the 1954 Electoral Rolls, Archie’s occupation was listed as a “peace officer”. By 1963, Archie had retired, and the couple were living at 10 River Avenue in Ascot Vale. The couple would live here until Archie’s death in 1975, at the age of 83, in Heidelberg. He was laid to rest at the Fawkner Memorial Park. Alice died the following year and was buried with Archie.