The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (NX50227) Sergeant Edward William Armstrong, Australian Army Catering Corps (Attached 2/14 Field Company), Second 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 Barelle, the story for this day was on (NX50227) Sergeant Edward William Armstrong, Australian Army Catering Corps (Attached 2/14 Field Company), Second World War.

NX50227 Sergeant Edward William Armstrong, Australian Army Catering Corps (Attached 2/14 Field Company)
Accidental 8 August 1945

Today we remember and pay tribute to Sergeant Edward William Armstrong.

Edward Armstong was born on 2 June 1914 in the Queensland town of Dalby, the youngest son of Henry and Elizabeth Armstrong.

Known affectionately as “Ted”, after schooling he went on to work as a lorry driver, married Mary (who he referred to as “Lorrie”) and had two children, Ken and Merle. The family lived in Cabramatta until they moved to the suburb of Bexley.

Armstrong enlisted for service in the Second Australian Imperial Force on 20 June 1940, and was posted to the Royal Australian Engineers, the military engineering corps of the Australian Army.

After a period of training, and some home leave in September, he was appointed cook in October, and the following month transferred to the 2/14th Field Company.
After a pre-embarkation leave in December, in early February Armstrong embarked from Sydney, bound for the Middle East. After serving in the Middle East for two years, in March 1942 he returned to Australia.

In August that year, further overseas service beckoned. Armstrong embarked from Brisbane for Port Moresby in New Guinea. Towards the end of the year, he was promoted to lance corporal.

In mid-January 1943, Armstrong was taken to hospital suffering from malaria, a reccuring malady that would continue to afflict him throughout his service. On this occasion, he received treatment for around a fortnight before recovering at a convalescent depot.

Returned to his unit in mid-February, Armstrong was promoted to acting corporal. He continued to be promoted – to lance sergeant in March, and two months later he became an acting sergeant.

In July, Acting Sergeant Armstrong was transferred to the Australian Army Catering Corps.

He continued to be troubled by malaria. He was taken to a field ambulance in October before moving in and out of hospitals until mid-January the following year. The following month Armstrong returned to Australia. In July he again suffered from malaria, spending time recovering until he returned to duty in October.

In November 1944 Armstrong returned to New Guinea, this time stationed at Aitape, a small town on the north coast, having had his rank of sergeant confirmed.

Sergeant Armstrong continued serving at Aitape until June 1945, when he was again sent to hospital suffering from malaria. After returning to duty late in the month, on 8 August 1945, he was accidentally killed when a piece of wood blasted from a stump hit him in the head.

A court of inquiry held in the field determined that his death had not been the result of negligence or misconduct.
He was buried nearby, but his remains were reburied in Wewak War Cemetery on 9 October 1945.

Edward Armstrong was survived by his wife, children, and extended family, who continued place remembrance notices marking the anniversary of his death well into the 1950s.
His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, among almost 40,000 Australians who died while serving in the Second World War.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Sergeant Edward William Armstrong, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Duncan Beard
Editor, Military History Section