Born in Bridgetown, Barbados, 1917. Joined RCAF in Montreal, 6 June 1940. Trained at No.1 ITS , No.6 EFTS, and No.1 SFTS. Posted overseas immediately to No.57 OTU, 17 February 1941
To No.92 Squadron, 5 May 1941 where he destroyed three enemy aircraft and damaged one. To No.412 Squadron, 11 November 1941; to No.416 Squadron (Flight Commander), 10 March 1942. September 1942 ; To Station Kenley, 1 December 1942
Squadron Leader Archer had been wounded flying Spitfires with 92 Squadron and was an ace credited with destroying six enemy aircraft. Designated CO, No.402 Squadron, 13 June 1943 and attached to No.421 Squadron for a few days to get back to operational standards. On 17 June 1943 he took command of No.421 Squadron on posting of CO; Killed in Action 17 June 1943. 402 City of Winnipeg Squadron Spitfire aircraft LZ 996 lost during a cross channel sweep. This was his last sortie as Commanding Officer of 402 Squadron, he was to take over as C.O. of 421 Squadron. . Aerial victories as follows: 23 June 1941, one BE109F destroyed southeast of Boulogne; 7 July 1941, one BE 109F destroyed and one damaged near Lille; 9 July 1941, one BE 109F destroyed near Bethune; 18 July 1942, one Do.217 destroyed east of Oxfordness; 17 June 1943, one FW.190 destroyed (action in which he was killed). Distinguished Flying Cross - No.416 Squadron - Award effective 24 August 1942 as per London Gazette dated 11 and AFRO 1535/42 dated 25 September 1942.Presented with award 9 February 1943. The citation reads - "This officer has completed sorties over enemy territory and has destroyed at least four enemy aircraft. On one occasion, although wounded in the leg, Flight Lieutenant Archer flew his badly damaged aircraft back to the base where he executed a skillful landing. He is a most efficient leader.`` Detail provided by H. Halliday, Orleans, Ontario.
Archer, Phillip Leslie Irving (Squadron Leader)
Killed in Action 1943-June-17
Birth Date: 1917-February-10
Born: Bridgetown Barbados
Parents: Son of Frederick Leslie and Millicent Beryl Archer, of Hastings St. Michael, Barbados. R Sc.
Spouse:
Home: Hasting St Michael, Barbados
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: unkown date
Service
RCAF
Unit
421 Sqn- Squadron
Bellicum Cecinere They have sounded the war trumpet
Base
RAF Redhill
Rank
Squadron Leader
Position
Pilot
Service Numbers
J/3508
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Finadagrave.com
Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)Unit Desciption
421 Sqn Bellicum Cecinere ("Red Indian")
History of the Squadron during World War II (Aircraft: Spitfire VA, VB, IX, IXB, XVI)
The squadron was the 20th squadron and the last of the eight Fighter squadrons formed overseas by the RCAF in WWII. It was initiated at Digby, Lincolnshire, England 
on April 9, 1942, It flew on defensive operations over Britain, as well as offensive operations over Europe, before D-Day. After the invasion, the squadron moved to France on 16 June 1944 and thereafter provided air and ground support to the Allied ground forces as they moved through France, the Low Countries and Germany. The squadron was disbanded at Utersen, Germany on July 10, 1945.
In the course of its operations, the squadron flew some 10,900 sorties and claimed 79 enemy aircraft destroyed, 2 probables and 27 damaged, for the loss of 34 aircraft and 33 pilots, of whom 4 were killed, 25 missing and 4 injured. The squadron had 2 aces, Squadron Leader R.W McNair, DFC and 2 Bars, and Flight Lieutenant P.G. Johnson. The squadron members were awarded 1 second Bar to DFC, 2 Bars to DFC and 5 DFCs. Battle Honours were: Defence of Britain 1942-43, Fortress Europe 1942-44, France and Germany 1944-45, Normandy 1944, Arnhem, RhineWikipedia, Kostenuk and Griffin
Maps for Movements of 421 Squadron 1942-45
MAP 1: 421 Squadron Movements in England 1942-44 (right-click on image to display enlarged in new tab)
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MAP 2: 421 Squadron Movements, detail of Map 1
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MAP 3: 421 Squadron Movements in Europe 1944-45
421 Squadron History Summary 1942-45
421Squadron History Summary 1942-45 Page 2
421 Squadron History Summary 1942-45 Page 3
History of the Squadron Post-WWII (Aircraft: Vampire III, 5, Meteor T7, Sabre 2, 5, 6, Starfighter)
The squadron was re-formed as a Fighter unit at Chatham, New Brunswick on 15 September 1949, flying de Havilland Vampire III aircraft and, during 1951, was stationed in the United Kingdom for operational training with the Royal Air Force, flying Gloster Meteor T Mk. 7 training aircraft. In December 1951 it was re-equipped with Sabre aircraft and in October 1952 joined No. 2 (Fighter) Wing at Grostenquin, France . Selected as one of eight Sabre squadrons in No. 1 Air Division Europe to be re-equipped with CF-104 Starfighter aircraft for a nuclear strike role, the squadron was deactivated on 1 August 1963 and was reactivated as Strike Attack on 21 December. When No. 2 Wing was disbanded in February 1964, the squadron joined No. 4 Wing at Baden-Soellingen, Germany . On 1 February 1968 the squadron was integrated into the Canadian Armed Forces. It was redesignated '421 Tactical Fighter Squadron' on 1 January 1972. The squadron was finally disbanded 31 August 1992, as a result of the ending of the Cold War.