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Cenotaph record

Leonard John Armstrong

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Kingsland Methodist Trinity Church exterior, 400 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland 1021. Image provided by John Halpin 2015, CC BY John Halpin 2015

Kingsland Methodist Trinity Church exterior, 400 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland 1021. Image pro …

Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Leonard John AWMM
  • Surname
    Armstrong AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    • WWI 13/5 AWMM
    • WWII 800626 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion
    Methodist, Christian AWMM

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    12 April 1888 AWMM AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    Unknown AWMM Argyle Street, Morningside, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
  • Post war occupation
    Packer/Civilian AWMM
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    Mrs Eliza Jane Armstrong (mother), Morningside, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Pre 16 October 1914 AWMM Single AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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Military decorations

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Training and Enlistment

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  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
  • Enlistment
    WW1 Unknown AWMM
    Age 26 AWMM
    Storeman/Civilian AWMM
    AWMM
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

Embarkations

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Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes
    • Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWI AWMM
      Wounded 29 May 1915 at Gallipoli AWMM
    • Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWI AWMM
      Wounded 9 January 1917 AWMM

Last known rank

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Biographical information

Biographical information

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    • 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 WW1 broke out. He trained in Egypt before going onto Gallipoli with his unit.

      Armstrong was wounded on 29 May 1915, soon after arriving at Gallipoli but despite this, he went on to receive honours for his work around this time. He is noted in a book of recommendation 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", p 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 Lieutentant 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 World War II 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. Posted to the Retired list 5 August 1945. AWMM
    • A SON TO BE PROUD OF.
      PRIVATE ARMSTRONG'S BRAVERY
      Word has, been received that Private Len Armstrong, son of Mr. L. J. Armstrong, of Morningside, is progressing favourably. Private Armstrong has evidently had a very close call. He was wounded in the head while fighting in the trenches at Gallipoli. and on being taken to Malta developed acute pneumonia. He was desperately ill, and apparently faint hopes were held of his recovery. His father, when speaking to a "Star" representative this morning said he wanted to say that his experience of Defence Department activity was different to that of other. He had received half a-dozen different messages acquainting; him with the progress his son was making. The boy himself wrote briefly that he had received "a slap in the face and endeavoured to give his parents the impression that he was only slightly hurt. It is interesting to recall a statement in a letter from Trooper J. G. Wilson, published only yesterday, which described a severe engagement, and said: "There were many acts of exceptional bravery. Who will ever forget, our old colonel, when he leaped to the parapet and directed his men, although himself exposed to a furious fire or the machine-gunner, an Auckland boy, Len. Armstrong, who continued to work his gun while the blood streamed down his face and saturated his clothes. Mr. Armstrong also has evidence of the great kindness our wounded are receiving at the hands of the English nurses. A Sister Londsale in a lengthy and cheering letter from Maita Hospital, tells the parents what a wonderful patient the soldier son has been and how proud they are at having pulled him through. At the time the sister wrote he was still very ill though showing improvement, and she promised to cable as soon as the boy was 'out of the wood." A military chaplain also wrote, stating that Private Armstrong had, by his great patience, won the deep regard of all who knew him. Now word has been received that the wounded soldier has been able to proceed to England, and he is evidently in a stage of convalescence. Public - Hana - 16 May 2021 - AUCKLAND STAR, VOLUME XLVI, ISSUE 201, 24 AUGUST 1915, PAGE 8
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Death

About death

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  • Death
    15 November 1975 AWMM
    Age 87 AWMM
    AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
    Waikaraka Cemetery, 1 Alfred Street, Onehunga, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM Area 6, Block C, Lot No 77 AWMM
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name
    • Kingsland Methodist Trinity Church Roll of Honour 1914-1918, 400 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland 1021 AWMM
    • 500 South Titirangi Road, Titirangi, Auckland AWMM

Roll of Honour

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Leave a note

Leave a tribute or memory of Leonard John Armstrong

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  • We came to Auckland as a family in 1954 from Scotland because of the Armstrong family, our cousins. Leonard Armstrong was a truly inspirational person in my early years as I heard of his exploits and bravery at Gallipoli. As we mark the 100 Years since the ANZACS landed at Gallipoli I would like to say I acknowledge Leonard Armstrong's service and gallantry with deep gratitude and thanks. WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM
    Public - Carol Margaret - Other Relative - 12 May 2015
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Sources

Sources

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Contributors

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DateFirst namesLocationRelationshipContact
16 May 2021HanaNew ZealandDirect descendant
01 June 2016AllanRotoruaResearcher
12 May 2015Carol Margaret Auckland NZOther Relative

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