Stuart Archer facts for kids

Stuart Archer (born Bertram Stuart Trevelyan Archer on February 3, 1915 – died May 2, 2015) was a brave British soldier. He received the George Cross, which is a very special award. It's the highest honor given in Britain and the Commonwealth for amazing bravery when not directly facing an enemy.

Stuart Archer was the first person ever to receive either the Victoria Cross or the George Cross and live to be 100 years old. He reached this amazing milestone on February 3, 2015.

Stuart Archer's Early Life and Career

Before joining the army, Stuart Archer was a talented architect. He became certified by the Royal Institute of British Architects when he was just 21 years old. This was the youngest age possible to get this certification! In 1936, he started working for a company in Gray's Inn, London. He eventually became a partner there and stayed with the firm his whole working life.

When the Second World War began, Stuart Archer joined the army. He first served as a soldier with the Honourable Artillery Company. Later, he joined the Royal Engineers. This group was very important because they handled dangerous tasks like bomb disposal in the United Kingdom.

Becoming a Bomb Disposal Expert

In March 1940, Stuart Archer became a second lieutenant in the Royal Engineers. From June of that year, he started his risky bomb disposal work. He became incredibly skilled at this job. Before he received the George Cross, he had already safely dealt with 200 bombs!

He also helped the War Office (a government department for the army) understand how enemy bombs worked. He provided them with five different types of bomb fuses. He also found and shared information about special devices called Zus anti-handling devices. These devices were designed to make bombs explode if someone tried to move them.

Stuart Archer's Later Military and Civilian Life

After the war ended, Stuart Archer continued his military career. He held the rank of captain. In 1951, he was officially appointed as a captain in the army's emergency reserves. He continued to be promoted, becoming a major in 1951 and a lieutenant-colonel in 1955.

In 1961, he was recognized for his excellent service and was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This is another important award that recognizes great achievements and service to the country.

Leading Bomb Disposal Regiments

In 1963, Stuart Archer was given a special honor. He was appointed as the Honorary Colonel for the bomb disposal regiments of the Royal Engineers. This meant he was a respected leader and figurehead for these important units. He held this honorary position until 1967.

Chairman of a Special Association

Stuart Archer also played a big role in the the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association. This group supports people who have received the Victoria Cross or the George Cross. He served as the Chairman of this association from 1994 to 2006. During this time, he represented the association at important events, like the funeral of the Queen Mother in 2002.

Stuart Archer passed away on May 2, 2015, just three months after his 100th birthday. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1970, showing his continued connection to his architectural profession.

See also

• List of George Cross recipients