Norman Ernest Archer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lt.-Cdr. Norman Archer
C.M.G., O.B.E.
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 August 1892 |
| Died | 15 February 1970 (aged 77) |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse | Hon. Ruth Evelyn Pease |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Walter Archer (father) Herbert Pease, 1st Baron Daryngton (father-in-law) Hugh Archer ("Sagette") (brother) Robert Blackburn (son-in-law) Kari Blackburn (granddaughter) |
| Occupation | Naval officer, Diplomat |
Norman Ernest Archer (born August 27, 1892 – died February 15, 1970) was a British naval officer and a diplomat. He was known for his work in the Royal Navy during World War I. He also had an important career working for the British government in other countries.
Archer was one of two British naval officers who worked with the Russian Black Sea Fleet. This was during the naval battles in the Black Sea from 1914 to 1917. After the war, Archer became a diplomat. He worked in places like Ottawa, Canada, and Dublin, Ireland. He also served as a top assistant to Anthony Eden, a British government leader, from 1939 to 1940.
Contents
Norman Archer's Life and Career
Early Life and Education
Norman Ernest Archer was born on August 27, 1892. His birthplace was Stavanger, Norway. His parents were Alice Lima Murray and Walter Archer. His father, Walter Archer, worked for the British government. He was also secretly recruited to gather information on German ships.
When Norman was young, he wanted to join the navy. In December 1904, he passed the exams for the Royal Naval College, Osborne. He started at this college, located on the Isle of Wight, in January 1905. This was an important step in his naval career.
Norman Archer served in the Royal Navy from 1908 to 1921. He reached the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. During World War I, he worked with the Russian fleet. He spent most of his time in Sevastopol, a main base for the Black Sea Fleet. He was even there when the Russians captured Trebizond from the Turks in 1916.
Archer gave advice to the Russians about British torpedo practices. He also kept the British Admiralty informed about what the Russians were doing. This shows he played a key role in sharing information.
After the war, Archer joined the Dominions Office. This office handled relations with countries that were part of the British Empire. From 1932 to 1936, he was an official secretary in Ottawa, Canada. He worked for the British High Commission there.
From 1939 to 1940, Archer was a top assistant to Anthony Eden. Eden was the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs. Archer helped Eden with his memoirs, which are like a personal history book.
Archer continued to work for the government. He was an Assistant Secretary for the Dominions Office from 1941 to 1944. Later, he became an Assistant Under-Secretary for Commonwealth Relations from 1948 to 1949.
In 1948, Archer worked in Dublin, Ireland. He helped make sure that Irish citizens in India were looked after. This was important because there was no direct diplomatic help for them.
Archer was also a main secretary for the British Representative's Office in Ireland. This was for two periods between 1941 and 1948. He had a lot of experience with different countries and military matters. This made him very good at his job.
Awards and Later Life
Norman Archer received two important awards for his service. In 1937, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). In 1944, he became a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG). These awards recognized his hard work and dedication.
He retired to Norway, a country he knew from his childhood. Norman Archer passed away on February 15, 1970, in Lambeth, Surrey, at the age of 77. He is buried in Sand, Rogaland, Norway.
Family Life
Norman Archer married Hon. Ruth Evelyn Pease on June 30, 1925. Ruth was the daughter of Herbert Pike Pease, who was the 1st Baron Daryngton.
They had two children together:
- Esther Joy Archer (1926–1977): She married Robert Blackburn, who was an Irish educationalist.
- Ronald Walter Archer (1929–1992): He became a vice-chairman for Unilever, a large company.
