ARMSTRONG, Norman Garnet
| Service Number: | Officer |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 12 June 1915, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Major |
| Last Unit: | 9th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Mount Perry, Queensland, 29 July 1885 |
| Home Town: | South Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | South Brisbane State School & Brisbane Grammar School |
| Occupation: | Accountant |
| Died: | Natural causes, Leura, New South Wales, 26 November 1984, aged 99 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Bank of New South Wales Roll of Honour Book |
World War 1 Service
| 12 Jun 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Brisbane, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Jul 1915: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 9th Infantry Battalion | |
| 20 Aug 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 25th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Shropshire embarkation_ship_number: A9 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Aug 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 25th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Shropshire, Sydney | |
| 28 Feb 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 9th Infantry Battalion | |
| 3 Nov 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Captain, 9th Infantry Battalion | |
| 29 Aug 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Captain, 1st Australian Army Service Corps Company , Seconded to 3rd Training Battalion | |
| 6 May 1918: | Transferred AIF WW1, Captain, 9th Infantry Battalion | |
| 7 Jan 1919: | Promoted AIF WW1, Major, 9th Infantry Battalion | |
| 13 Mar 1920: | Discharged AIF WW1, Major, Officer, 9th Infantry Battalion, Appointment terminated |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Paul Trevor
'NORMAN GARNET ARMSTRONG was born at Mt Perry, 29th July 1885. After leaving school Norman spent a year as a jackeroo on ‘Bon Accord’ station near Dalby, owned by one of the Simpson cousins. He then joined the Bank of NSW and worked in Brisbane and Bowen.
Norman enlisted with the 1st A.I.F. and served with the 9th Battalion in France, rising to the rank of Major. Returning to Australia after the war, he again joined the bank, and was appointed manager at Normanton. From there he transferred to Papua where he served in various capacities in addition to his bank duties. He was appointed a member of the Legislative Council of Papua, and served from 1927 to 1930.
Returning to Australia once more, Norman managed the Rozelle Branch of the Bank during the Depression years. Norman married Dorothy Lowe at the Church of St John, Port Moresby, Papua on 28th July 1927. In 1950 he retired to live at Leura in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.' LINK (www.asletts.com)
Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force.
In August 1914, Lieutenant Norman G. Armstrong was mobilised for War Service from Bowen with “H” Company of the 2nd Infantry, Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force (AN&MEF) to take part in the capture of German held New Guinea. Lietenant Armstrong embarked from Townsville on the 8 August 1914 for Thursday Island, (War Station) Garrison Duty.
This action was short lived as the troops who re-embarked on the 'Kanowna' at Thursday Island for New Guinea on 16 August returned to the Port of Townsville two days later due to the trouble caused by the crew on this troopship. It is believed that there had been no consultation about whether or not they wished to participate in possible military action and as a result there was considerable discontentment amongst the crew on board.
Lieutenant Norman Armstrong did not play a part in the capture of German held New Guinea and was discharged mid September 1914 from the AN&MEF. Lieutenant Armstrong's service for this action lasted a little longer than four weeks.
'DEPARTURE OF THE CITIZEN FORCE.
On Thursday morning last at 7 o’clock a special train took away the first contingent of Bowen “H” Company of the 2nd Infantry. Eighteen members of the Citizens’ Force, under the command of Lieutenant N. G. Armstrong, assembled at the Drill Hall and marched to the Railway Station where a number of their relatives and friends came to say them goodbye. A lusty cheer was given when the train started and signal detinators on the rails went off as the engine steamed out of the station.
Some furtive tears were bravely wiped from gentle faces on the way back but this, the first concrete fact of the participation of Australia in the general war, passed off calmly and soberly. The present destination of the Bowen contingent is Townsville, but it is believed that a portion will be sent to Thursday Island by the Kanowna.' from Bowen Independent 8 Aug 1914 (nla.gov.au)
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