Grandad was a member of 19th Armoured Regiment and fought in Africa initially in a Bren gun carrier, then was sent to the USA to train in the Valentine tank.

He found it hilarious that the American instructors challenged the Kiwi soldiers to a shoot off at the end of the course to see who would buy the beers. The Yanks were soundly beaten by the Kiwis both shooting on the move and at stationary positions and Grandad and his mates said the beer never tasted better that night!!!!

Whilst Grandad made it to the rank of Cpl during his service, he finished his service as a Trooper due to a disagreement with some Military Police whilst on leave in Cairo in a bar.

Uncle Ivan was a wonderful husband and family man and a father of ten children, the oldest two are Barry and Frank Archer. He was a share-milker in Cambridge, New Zealand. His mother's name was not G. Archer: it was Olive Edith Archer, née Freeman, my grandmother.