Fred Alexander Archibald was born in Tiverton, Devon 5 April 1891. He lived at 64 Beck’s Square, Tiverton with parents Alfred and Sarah and 4 older siblings. By 1901, the family moved to 7 Seymour Terrace, Tiverton. In 1911, still living with his family, Fred attended Bristol College training to be a teacher. 4 March 1912, he was a student teacher at Cockfield C.E. Mixed School until 12 July 1912. He then joined the Royal Navy [service no.M5203] and 4 November 1912 served on HMS Impregnable. In 1915 he married Dorothy H. Bathgate. 30 November 1916, he served aboard HMS Daedalus.

20 October 1924, he arrived in London on SS Mulbera from Malta.  He travelled with his wife Dorothy (a schoolmistress) and their one-year-old daughter Patricia. Their new address was to be Castlebar, Tiverton.  His occupation was recorded as Naval Schoolmaster.

He died 5 August 1937 in Weymouth, Dorset and is buried in Wkye Regis.