Seeking WWII records, family of Archibald (Archie) Veitch - Walker & Hall silve

Hello everyone,

I am seeking help from military historians and genealogists to trace the WWII service record of a British/Scottish soldier and potentially connect with his living descendants.

Back in 2008, I visited the Dijver flea market in Bruges, Belgium, and purchased a beautiful vintage silver-plated (EPNS) pocket hip flask. On the base, it bears the official hallmark of Walker & Hall (Sheffield): the famous pennant flag with "W&H", pattern number 1133 ½, capacity 1/5 (pint), and an internal mold number 44.

The front of the flask features a very clear, professionally engraved inscription:

• BRANDY
• ARCHIE VEITCH
• 22nd Aug. 1938

In British and Commonwealth traditions, the 21st birthday ("Coming of Age") was a major milestone celebrated with high-quality engraved keepsakes. This strongly indicates that Archie Veitch was born on August 22, 1917.

Since the flask was already in Flanders, Belgium, by 2008, it is almost certain that Archie carried this personal token into World War II and it remained on the continent ever since. He might have lost it during the 1940 retreat to Dunkirk or left it behind during the liberation of Belgium in the autumn of 1944 (perhaps serving with a Scottish unit like the 15th Scottish Infantry Division).

I would deeply appreciate any assistance with:

1. Checking military databases (Ancestry / Forces War Records) for an Archibald / Archie Veitch born in August 1917.
2. Finding any potential family trees or census links to locate his descendants.
3. Finding his unit history or a photograph of him.

I would love to uncover his story and eventually return this precious piece of family history to his heirs.

Thank you so much for your time and help!

 

According to online family trees there is indeed an Archibald Veitch, born 22.8.1917 - 31.1.2000, accompanying newspaper articles suggest he was married with children and grandchildren. He served in the 9th Northumberland Fusiliers and was a POW in Burma, personal number 95047.

Born in Berwick and his thanksgiving service was in St Andrews Wallace Green Church, Berwick upon Tweed.

As you are seeking living relatives my suggestion would be to contact local papers in that area with a view to making contact. Libraries normally have access to Ancestry and newspapers so a visit to your local one may be of interest.

All notices | The Gazette

I wish you luck and hope that the flask can be re-united. Well done.

 

A warm welcome to you Kristina:

No way of knowing for certain, of course, but very possibly this man, 95047 Captain Archibald Veitch, 9th Battalion Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. I understand that the 9th Battalion was with the BEF in 1940, as was 7th Battalion (I mention the latter only because the entry from the London Gazzette, below, indicates he was with 7th Battalion when he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. He could, of course, have been transferred to 9th Btn upon receiving his commission):

He was born 22 August 1917 in Scotland, so that date on the flask certainly matches with what I can see on Ancestry. Only military info I can find for him on Ancestry are POW lists in the Far East and that aforementioned London Gazette entry. As he was a POW of the Japanese, clearly he was not in NW Europe in 1944/45, so highly probable he lost the flask in the chaos of May/June 1940:



Also found this. You can see two photos of Archie in uniform:

VJ Day - Part 2 - Northumberland Archives

VJ Day - Part 1 - Northumberland Archives

Some more links of interest:

9th Northumberland Fusiliers May June 1940.

Samuel Gilholm, 9th Northumberland Fusiliers

Royal Northumberland Fusiliers 9th Bn

The 9th Battalion Royal Northumberland Fusiliers | COFEPOW

https://www.facebook.com/FusiliersA...rs-had-been-formed-in-as-a-/1212030800961551/



I did also find a Royal Artillery Tracer Card for 1820355 Archibald Veitch Sr, who enlisted in 1941, but I think we have our man in Captain Veitch, 9/RNF.


(all images from Ancestry)

Edit: beat me to it Tony

 

Some images from Ancestry:



A photo of his (double) wedding in July, 1948. From the picture further below, Archie is the man fourth from the left, behind the young girl:

 

WO 361/2123. Prisoners of war, Far East: 9th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers; nominal roll.

 

I believe that Archie’s son Hugh is a director of The Reston and Berwick Farming Co Ltd:

RESTON & BERWICK FARMING COMPANY LIMITED people - Find and update company information - GOV.UK

There is a correspondence address listed:




Instagram link here too to Maura Veitch, who I note is also a Director (I assume it’s the same lady, note the “Shawbraes” connection):

https://www.instagram.com/shawbraes/?hl=en

Hugh was also, until 2016, a director of the Scottish National Fat Stock Club. Although he is no longer there, I wonder if they may know how to contact him?

Contact the Scottish National Fat Stock Club

Similarly, until 1993 Hugh was a director of the Instsitute of Appraisers and Auctioneers In Scotland. A long time ago, but maybe also a chance they would be able to contact him for you?

Home | Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland

Also, same for The Royal Smithfield Club:

The Royal Smithfield Club

There is a Facebook page for a Grizel Veitch, which appears inactive to me (I have no Facebook account so I cannot sign in), but I do not know if this is Archie’s daughter, sorry. It may not be her:

Grizel Veitch

Good luck!

 

I'll take my hat off to you guys, fantastic finds in under 3 hours, brilliant .

 

Thanks Lesley, really hope Kristina can manage to get in touch with the family.

 

Just posted a Private Message on FB to Grizel Veitch and referring to this thread. HEr FB is private so no clues as to her identity..

 

Большое спасибо за ваше время.

 

Было бы невероятно, если бы 88 лет спустя у его родственников оказалось что-то подобное. И если бы наш Арчи был настоящим капитаном.

 

Thank you so much for your time.

 

Thank you, everyone!

 

.

 

It would be incredible if, 88 years later, his relatives ended up with such a thing. And that our Archie is a real captain.

 

I wonder if Grizel Veitch will reply.

 

KristinaK,

No response to the FB entry. Back to the other options in Post 6.

 

Not sure why Posts 10 & 11 appear to be in Russian. The author has not logged in since 23/8/2026. I have PM'd her as some clues have been found.