Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

MR. W. ARMSTRONG
Boer War Veteran
DEATH AT LAKE'S CREEK
Not only to a wide circle of friends, but to those who were trained in thc cadet movement and then in the sterner lessons of war at the Enoggera camp, the news of the death of Lieutenant W.H. Armstrong at Lake's Creek late on Sunday afternoon will  come as a very severe shock.
Lieutenant Armstrong, who was on the retired list, had been in poor health for some time past, but as late as the previous Friday week he was busying himself in matters appertaining to the Digger's carnival, in which he always took the liveliest interest. It was however, his last rally. Lieutenant Armstrong was born at Hobart on September 20, 1878, and received his education in the Tasmanian capital. A military life always appealed and he joined the 1st Tasmanian Mounted Rifles. When the Boer War broke out in 1899 he enlisted, as did the Rifles, and he went as bugler. Prior to the regiment sailing a silver bugle was presented to him, but it was placed in the museum at Hobart. The bugle he carried throughout the campaign is one of the most cherished  possessions of his family.
When the present King, then Duke of York visited Australia to open the first Federal-Parliament in Melbourne he visited Tasmania and at Hobart Lieutenant Armstrong had the pleasure of receiving at his hands the South African war medal with four clasps,
which bear the names Diamond Hill, Johannesburg, Orange Free State end Cape Colony respectively. Later he recived the long service and good conduct medals.
When compulsory training was instituted Lieutenant Aiuistiung was oppointed as instructor and in 1907 he was sent to East Brisbane, where, at the school there, he instructed the cadets. Early in 1914 he was transferred to Rockhampton to drill the cadets here, but on the outbreak of war, though he offered his services on more than one occasion, he was kept in Queensland drilling recruits and training officers. Most of his lime was spent at Enoggera and thousands of recruits went through that camp. He was also instructor at the first conscription camp held in Rockhampton, or "Billy Hughes's camp" as it was better known, as Sir. Hughes was then Prime Minister.  He gained a great reputation as an instructor and many officers, who subsequently attained high rank, passed through his hands. He was a strict disciplinarian, but at the same time just and gave the men a square deal. After the, war he was transferred to Brisbane in I919, being attached to the 49th Battalion, first at Boundary-street and then at Kelvin Grove. In 1927 he was transferred to Rockhampton as adjutant of the 42nd Battalion and he continued in that position until placed on the retired list in 1930. He then went into business, first in a store at the Fiveways and then subsequently in the hotel at Kabra and then later in the Lake's Creek Hotel.
Lieutenant Armstrong is survived by his widow and two grown up sons, Keith and Reginald, for whom the deepest sympathy will be felt. The deceased was buried in the North Rockhampton cemetery, the Rev. R. L. P. Jones, of St. Luke's church, Wandal, conducting the burial service. The large number who attended including many members of the R.S.I.L.L.A., showed the great respect in which the deceased was held.