Archibald Walter Addison was born at Inverell, New South Wales in 1898. A mercer before the outbreak of war, Addison enlisted in the Australian Infantry Force on 9 September 1915. He was assigned to the 30th Infantry Battalion which initially trained at the Liverpool Depot before moving to R.A.S. Grounds in Moore Park on 21 September 1915. He was later reassigned as a regimental police officer to the 33rd Infantry Battalion.

After completing basic training, Addison departed Sydney on 9 November 1915 aboard HMAT Beltana. He spent time in Egypt before being deployed to Gallipoli and then the Western Front. He was caught in gas attacks on several occasions and wounded in action on 19 April 1918 and 24 September 1918.

Addison received the Military Medal for his involvement in defensive action on 22 August 1918. His recommendation for the Military Medal contains a hand written note from General Morshead, which attests to Addison's bravery in maintaining communication between Headquarters and the frontline.

Addison was promoted to the rank of Corporal on 1 July 1919. He returned home aboard HT Plassy on 5 September 1919. Archibald Addison was formally discharged in Sydney on 30 November 1919.