The Soldier's Details

Frank was the youngest of four sons and 7 daughters born to parents Thomas Francis Armstrong and Catherine Matilda Maxted who were married in Boulder in 1903.

Frank’s father served in WW1, enlisting in October 1915 aged 37 years.  At the time of his enlistment, Thomas Francis Armstrong 1840 was married with 6 children and residing in Boulder.  Frank would have been just a few years old his father 37.

 

 

Thomas Armstrong initially joined 10th Light Horse , 13th reinforcment.  He later transferred and served with 4th DAC (Division Ammunition Column) as a driver – not a job for the light-hearted.

‘To sustain this effect, the logistics of supply of ammunition are critical.  The weight and volume of artillery ammuniton meant that keeping ammunition up to the guns at the rates required was an all-encompassing supply chain issue from manufacture through storage, distribution and provision to disposal of unexploded ordnance and recovery of re-useable components. 

Each Division had an Ammunition Column to keep ammunition up to the guns by moving it from “Third line” storage up to the Front (“First Line”). It was a mammoth task involving motor and horse drawn transport, heavy and light rail and tramways.  Ammunition dumps and transport near the Front Line were high priority targets of the enemy’s guns and later, aircraft. 

Horse drawn transport laden with ammunition is a doubly risky business.  Horses are vulnerable to all forms of small arms and artillery and the cargo is such that a hit is generally catastrophic.  It is not for nothing that many drivers received bravery awards.’

Frank and his brothers attended Boulder School, and as can be imagined, they got into and out of many scrapes and escapades!

Thomas Armstrong returned to WA from France in June 1919 having served with the 4th Australian Divisional Ammunition Column in Europe. He took up land south of Margaret River and moving his family from Boulder.   With his four grown -up and strong sons, Thomas cleared the virgin land.

First class bushmen and horse-riders, the four sons moved around WA seeking work.

Prior to enlisting, Frank was working as a mill hand at Witchcliffe.

 

 

Happy Days

 

 

Armstrong enlisted AIF 10 Aug 1940 later joining 2/4th MGB’s ‘D’ Company No. 15 Platoon  under Commanding Officer Lt. Meiklejohn.

Wounded in action North Lim Chu Kang Road on the west coast of Singapore on 9.2.1942. Admitted to the 2/ 10th Australian General Hospital with a gunshot wound to the right arm. Discharged to unit on 22.2.1942.

Please read further about No. 15 Platoon.

Following surrender by the Allies to Japan, the 8th Division became Prisoners of War of Japan.  He was accommodated at Selarang and would have worked in various parts of Singapore with different work Parties.

He was selected with ‘B’ Force to sail to Borneo. Read about ‘B’ Force.

Read the story, Frank Armstrong first tragedy at Sandakan and Korean and Formosan guards.

Kings Park

Dedicated by Family on 14 February 2009

Biography presented during plaque dedication:

‘Lance Corporal Francis Armstrong of 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion was born in August 1912 at Boulder City. He was the fourth and youngest son of the eleven children born to Thomas and Catherine Armstrong.

Frank attended Boulder school and family folklore has it that he and his brothers were involved in many escapades.

Their father, Thomas served overseas in World War 1 and on his return took up land south of Margaret River and the four boys, who were big strong lads, were put to work clearing the land. They were all superb bushmen and horsemen and they moved about the state following work.

Frank enlisted at Claremont in August 1940 while living at East Witchcliffe. He was posted to 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion and went to Singapore with 8 Division. During the battle for Singapore, the battalion was engaged in heavy fighting for 20 hours before being overrun by the enemy. Frank was captured, became a prisoner of war and was sent to Sandakan as part of B Force.

Lance Corporal Francis Armstrong, service number WX7717, died as a prisoner of war at Sandakan on 30 July 1942. He was 29.’

 

Below:  Kings Park – Pte Eddy Burton and Frank Armstrong.  Eddy sailed to Sandakan with ‘E’ Force.  He died of malaria Feb 1945.