The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (3681) Private John Hubert Armstrong, 60th Battalion, First World War

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Craig Berelle, the story for this day was on (3681) Private John Hubert Armstrong, 60th Battalion, First World War.

3681 Private John Hubert Armstrong, 60th Battalion
KIA 19 July 1916
Photograph: H05936

Story delivered 17 April 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private John Hubert Armstrong.

John Armstrong was the eldest son of David and Catherine Armstrong of Melbourne, Victoria. He was born on 9 October 1889 in Kerang, and after being educated at the St Kilda State School he became a glass worker. At the outbreak of war his father, a skilled metal worker, responded to a call for men and went to England to work in munitions factories. In July 1915 John was the first of his sons to enlist, followed by Stan in 1916 and Dave in 1917, leaving a fourth son at home alone with their mother.

After four months' training in Australia, John Armstrong was sent overseas with reinforcements to the 8th Battalion. After arriving in Egypt he was transferred to the 60th Battalion and from there went to France to fight on the Western Front.

The 60th Battalion's first major operation was on 19 July 1916, when it attacked a German position near the French town of Fromelles. The war diary of the battalion records that at the designated time they "scaled the parapet and advanced in four waves ... Each wave advanced under very heavy artillery, machine gun and rifle fire, suffering very heavy casualties". It was believed only a few men of the 60th Battalion entered the enemy trenches. Stragglers and wounded men made their way back to their own trenches over the following days and nights.

At the end of the operation, Private John Armstrong was missing. His mother, who struggled to believe her son had been killed, made a number of requests for information. In October 1916 she wrote, "I am so anxious concerning his whereabouts as I have not had any letter or card from him for three months and I cannot stand the suspense much longer." It was not until August 1917 that a court of inquiry established that John Armstrong had been killed in action.

Mrs Armstrong would not even have the comfort of John's personal effects, as the ship carrying them, SS Barunga, was sunk by enemy action. She wrote, "I feel it is terrible hard to think my Darling son has left us for ever so now I have to wait patiently to see if his Father and Two other Brothers will return Home to me." Her husband returned, along with her son Stan. Dave, serving with the 58th Battalion, was killed in 1918.

John Armstrong was 26 years old when he died, and today has no known grave.

His name and that of his brother David are listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with more than 60,000 others from the First World War. John's photograph is displayed today beside the Pool of Reflection.

This is but one of the many stories of courage and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Private John Hubert Armstrong, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.