Catalogue
Catalogue
Object Type
Name/Title
Armstrong family papers, 1848 - 1964
Primary Maker
Date
1848-1964
Physical Description
Level of Current Record
Parent
Member Object
Public Access Text
[Keywords: New Zealand Wars]
Subject Notes
Thomas Armstrong came to New Zealand with the 40th Regiment during the New Zealand Wars. He was later invalided out. He then went to Australia but returned to Auckland, New Zealand, in 1877.
Leonard John Armstrong was the grandson of Thomas Armstrong and son of Leonard John Armstrong and Eliza Jane Armstrong (nee Bishop). Husband of Janet Armstrong (nee Higham). Leonard John Armstrong enlisted as a trooper in the Auckland Mounted Rifles soon after the outbreak of the First World War. He trained in Egypt before going onto Gallipoli, where he was wounded on 29 May 1915, not long after arriving. Despite this, he still went on to receive honours for his work around this time. He is noted in a book of recommendation held in the National Archives for his "continuous good work with his machine gun" between April and August of 1915 ("Bloody Gallipoli: The New Zealanders' Story", page 387). This was more formally recognised when he was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal for his work in August, a month that is recognised as a particularly bloody month for the Auckland Mounted Rifles and the Anzacs. Armstrong survived Gallipoli and went on to serve with the Auckland Mounted Rifles on the Western Front. He was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant on 14 May 1917, and Lieutenant on 14 November 1918. On 5 September 1919, he was discharged and absorbed into the Reserve of Officers (Temp) with this rank. Profession listed on his marriage license in June 1922 was Packer. Armstrong re-enlisted for the Second World War on 1 July 1940 as a Lieutenant, and on 10 December 1942 he was posted to the Reserve of Officers. In recognition of a long and courageous career, he was awarded the New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal. Armstrong was posted to the Retired list 5 August 1945. He died at Auckland on 15 November 1975, aged 87 years.
Last Update
07 Jul 2023
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