ROBERTS, Archie

Archie Roberts was a defender who joined Essendon from Melbourne where he played 36 games between 1932 and 1936. Prior to that, he was with Cheltenham.

He played 12 games for Essendon in 1937 then joined the RAAF in October 1937. However, he took advantage of the free discharge within three months of service because, as he stated, he had "acquired more suitable employment" near his home in Melbourne.

He played with Prahran in 1938 and 1939 then enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 11 July 1940, and was assigned to the 2/21 Australian Infantry Battalion. His battalion was stationed on Ambon Island in December 1941 and took part in the Battle of Ambon (30 January - 3 February 1942). 582 Australians, including Roach, were taken prisoner. They were subjected to overwork, malnutrition and disease in one of the most brutal Japanese camps and 405 of them died. Archie survived for more than three years but died on 6th June, 1945.

His team-mate, Ted Rippon, inserted a touching notice in The Argus on the anniversary of his death:

ROBERTS.— In loving memory of my dear pal, Arch
Roberts, who died on Ambon Island whilst P.O.W. on
June 6, 1945.
Three little words not hard to write.
But three I'll remember all my life.
My pal, Archie.
(Inserted by Ted Rippon. Glenelg Hotel, Casterton.)
The Argus, 6 June 1946