Major Archer Jack Greathed was born in Herefordshire, England on 28 August 1900, the son of Edward Archer Greathed and Jane Geogina Croft. A brother was Rear Admiral Bernard Wilberforce Greathed with the Royal Navy. He completed high school and two years at Leeds University where he studied for his Bachelor of Science.  He spoke English, French and Spanish and was a member of the Anglican Church.

From September 1918 to June 1919 he was 14078 Private Greathed with the British Inns of Court Officer Training Corps.  He served with the 2nd Battalion Queen’s Own Rifles (Reserve) from October 1939 to June 1940 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on 15 October 1939.

Greathed worked as an accountant, a stockbroker in Vancouver (1928-1932) and a salesman for Termco Manufacturers Company Limited in Leaside, Toronto. He also worked at various times in London, England (1921-1922) and Venezuela (1922-1927.)

Greathed joined the QOR active service on 19 July 1940, on 3 August was promoted to Lieutenant, and started service in Newfoundland with “W” Force on 10 August. He continued training until arriving in Scotland with the Regiment and then continued various postings and attachments through late 1941 and early 1943.

On 26 November 1943, Greathed was promoted to Captain and on 11 April 1944 he was posted to the 1st Civilian Affairs Pool. He arrived in France on 1 July and was promoted to Acting Major “while specially employed” on 30 September.

Major Greathed died on 21 January 1945 of wounds received in action in The Netherlands. He is buried in Nederweert War Cemetery in The Netherlands, grave reference III. B. 4. His family had the following engraved on his marker:

EVER REMEMBERED