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He was 37 and the son of John Andrewartha and Amelia Armstrong; husband of Leonie Armstrong, of "Hellier," 10, Tollington Avenue, East Malvern, Victoria.

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”

Died on this date – 1st January…… John Andrewartha Goldsmith Armstrong was born at Kyneton, Victoria on 29th August, 1880.

He married Catherine Emily Rich on 17th August, 1906 at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Dandenong Road, Caulfield, Victoria.

They had a daughter – Mary Tait Armstrong who was born on 27th October, 1906 in Newcastle, NSW. (name, date & details as recorded in Divorce Records; however she is referred to as Molly Armstrong on Family Trees on Ancestry)

John Andrewartha Goldsmith Armstrong & Catherine Emily Armstrong were divorced in 1910.

John Andrewartha Armstrong married Leonie Spangler in 1915 in Victoria.

He enlisted in the Australia Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 24th January, 1916 stating he was a 35 year old, married (no children - as listed on Attestation Papers), Senior Clerk from “Arra Glen”, Hawthorn Road, Caulfield, Victoria.

Gunner (rank as per Embarkation Roll. He had been promoted to provisional Bombardier from 1st April, 1918) John Andrewartha Armstrong, Service number 19615, embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on HMAT Medic (A7) on 20th May, 1916 with the 8th Field Artillery Brigade, 29th Battery & disembarked at Plymouth, England on 18th July, 1916.

Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located in the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire.

Provisional Bombardier John Andrewartha Armstrong was promoted to Bombardier from 6th October, 1916 with 8th F.A.B. (Field Artillery Brigade) while in England.

On 18th December, 1916 Bombardier Armstrong was sent to Fargo Hospital, Wiltshire with Bronchitis then transferred to Military Hospital, Fargo, Wiltshire on 20th December, 1916. He rejoined his Unit from Hospital on 26th December, 1916.

He proceeded overseas to France via Southampton on 30th December, 1917 & arrived in France on the same day. He was sent sick to 2nd General Hospital at Havre, France on 31st December, 1916 & was transferred to England on 13th January, 1917 with Pleurisy.

Bombardier Armstrong was admitted to Bath War Hospital, Combe Park, England on 14th January, 1917 with Pleurisy – severe.  He was transferred to Fargo Military Hospital, Wiltshire on 26th February, 1917 with Influenza. Bombardier Armstrong was marched in to No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, Dorset on 19th March, 1917. (Note: The Medical Transfer Certificate recorded that Bombardier J. A. Armstrong had been admitted to Bath War Hospital on 14th January, 1917 & was transferred to Australian Military Hospital, Weymouth on 19th March, 1917 –“Debility after Pleurisy at France” on December 30th, 1916.) Bombardier Armstrong was medically classified as A3 – fit for active service on 24th April, 1917.

On 27th April, 1917 Bombardier Armstrong was marched in to Hardening & Drafting Depot at Perham Downs, Wiltshire from No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth. He was marched out to R.B.A.A. (Reserve Brigade Australian Artillery) at Larkhill, Wiltshire on 14th May, 1917 from Perham Downs. Bombardier Armstrong was marched out to R.B.A.A. at Bulford (as listed on Casualty Form – Active Service however report  later stated “Details at Boyton”), Wiltshire on 13th June, 1917. He was marched out from Details at Boyton on 9th July, 1917 & was marched in to R.B.A.A. at Larkhill on the same day.

He proceeded overseas to France via Southampton on 8th August, 1917 & was marched in to A.G.B.D. (Australian General Base Depot) at Rouelles, France on 9th August, 1917. Bombardier Armstrong was marched out from A.G.B.D. on 3rd September, 1917 to join 3rd Divisional Artillery. He rejoined 8th F.A.B. in the Field on 8th September, 1917.

Bombardier John Andrewartha Armstrong was wounded in action in France on 19th September, 1917. He was admitted to 6th Australian Field Ambulance with G.S.W. (gunshot wound/s) then transferred to 17th Casualty Clearing Station on 19th September, 1917. Bombardier Armstrong was transferred to Ambulance Train 33 & he was admitted to 2nd Australian General Hospital at Wimereux on 20th September, 1917 with Shrapnel wound/s to foot. He embarked for England on 22nd September, 1917 on Hospital Ship St. Denis.

He was admitted to Ontario Military Hospital, Orpington, England on 22nd September, 1917 with G.S.W. to left Foot. Bombardier Armstrong was reported to be dangerously ill on 14th October, 1917 with left Foot amputated.

Base Records advised Mrs L. Armstrong on 26th October, 1917 that Bombardier J. A. Armstrong was seriously ill. She was advised on 3rd November, 1917 that Bombardier John Armstrong was dangerously ill – Gas gangrene to left Leg. Mrs Armstrong was advised on 23rd November, 1917 that Bombardier J. A. Armstrong’s condition was improving & on 17th December, 1917 she was advised that he was progressing favourably.

Bombardier John Andrewartha Armstrong died at 9 am on 1st January, 1918 at Ontario Military Hospital, Orpington, Kent, England from wounds received in action – G.S.W. (gunshot wound/s) to Left Foot (amputated) & Meningitis Strepticoccic.

He was buried in Orpington Churchyard, Orpington, England where 4 other WW1 Australian Soldiers are buried. This is now listed by CWGC as All Saints Churchyard Extension, Orpington, Kent, England

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/orpington.html