The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (2372), Private William George Armstrong, 47th Battalion, AIF, 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 (2372), Private William George Armstrong, 47th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

2372, Private William George Armstrong, 47th Battalion, AIF
KIA 8 June, 1917
Photograph: P03939.001

Story delivered 12 September 2015

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private William George Armstrong.

William Armstrong was born on 10 April 1874 in Logan River, Queensland, to Thomas and Frances Armstrong. He attended Waterford State School and went on to qualify as a teacher. In 1899 he married Edith Miriam Caswell and moved to Murgon, where he took up farming. Three children were born to the couple, but the third child died in infancy. Armstrong was active in local issues and became the chairman of the first shire council of Murgon.

Armstrong enlisted for service in the Australian Imperial Force in April 1916. He was allotted to the 5th reinforcements to the 52nd Battalion and, after a period of training, embarked from Brisbane aboard the transport Seang Choon in September. After disembarking at Plymouth, England, that December, he spent several months in the 13th Training Battalion at Codford before being sent to France in late February 1917. After two weeks at Étaples he was posted to the 47th Battalion.

Armstrong took part in the disastrous first battle of Bullecourt on 11 April. Though the Australians had broken into the German front line, their lack of artillery and tank support allowed German counter-attacks to drive the Australians back to their starting line with heavy losses.

The 47th Battalion was brought back up to strength in time for the battle of Messines. There, in the early hours of 7 June, 19 mines were detonated under the German front-line trenches. The day’s fighting was severe and the men of the 47th Battalion suffered heavy casualties. As the advance was renewed the next day Armstrong was reportedly hit in the mouth by shrapnel. He turned away to seek treatment at an aid station and was not seen again by the members of his battalion. He was 43 years old.

A court of inquiry held that November found Armstrong to have been killed on 8 June 1917. His body was not recovered and his name was added to the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing after the war.

Armstrong’s name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with more than 60,000 others from the First World War. His photograph is displayed today by the Pool of Reflection.

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

Michael Kelly
Historian, Military History Section