Armstrong, PTE Andrew Edward

Andrew Edward Armstrong (1888-1958), Plumber, porter and soldier, was born in Newcastle-On-Tyne, England, son of Thomas and Margaret Armstrong. He had 3 sisters (Elizabeth, Elizabeth and Alice) and 1 brother (Thomas). Armstrong lived with his family until his early twenties, working as a plumber. He migrated to Australia around 1913 in his mid twenties and moved to Mount Lawley. Armstrong continued his work as a plumber. In late 1913 he married Jane Mellis on the high seas.

Armstrong enlisted for service in the Australian Imperial Force on the 12th of January 1916 and was posted to the original 44th Australian Infantry Battalion. He embarked for overseas service on the 6th of June 1916 and reached the front lines on the 25th of November 1916. He went on to fight in nearly every engagement that the 44th Battalion was present for.

He was sick in late 1917 for 6 weeks and then wounded in action on the 24th of May 1918, resulting in him being in hospital for a month. He served as an instructor at the School of Cookery for 3 weeks at the very end of the war in September 1918 and then served at a depot after the war’s end.

After the war, Armstrong continued to live in Mount Lawley for over 25 years, working as a porter. He spent the 1950s living in Highgate, Swanbourne and Scarborough. Andrew Armstrong passed away on the 27th of December 1958 at the age of 70 and was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.

Additions

77 Walcott Street, Mount Lawley 1913, 1925

13 Victoria Avenue, Perth 1914

1 Raglan Road, Mount Lawley 1931, 1936, 1937

21 Almondbury Road, Mount Lawley 1943

343 Stirling Street, Highgate 1949

3 James Road, Swanbourne, 1954

3 Sonia Street, Scarborough, 1958

Plumber (1913)

Porter (1931, 1936, 1937, 1943, 1949, 1958)

Notes

Residences: 77 Walcott Street, Mount Lawley (1913, 1916 & 1925), 13 Victoria Avenue, Perth (1914), 1 Raglan Road, Mount Lawley (1931, 1936 & 1937), 21 Almondbury Road, Mount Lawley (1943), 343 Stirling Street, Highgate (1949), 3 James Road, Swanbourne (1954), 3 Sonia Street, Scarborough (1958).

Absent from class for 6 hours. Loss of 4 days pay. (June 1918)

Away from work for 15 days. Loss of 8 days pay (January 1919)

Armstrong was an Australian soldier who was an expert in close combat,
He was physically and mentally tough, compassionate and courageous,
He led by example, he strove to take the initiative,
He was committed to learning and working for the team,
He believed in trust, loyalty and respect for his country, his mates and the Army,
The rising sun was his badge of honour,
He is an Australian soldier, Always!

Record completed by Luca Muir Anderson

Sources

National Archives of Australia

Sunday Times, 9/11/1913, Page 29

National English Archives