Peter Warwick Armstrong (1921 - 1942)

Born 2 Sep 1921 in Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia

Ancestors

Died 27 May 1942 at age 20 in Ceylon

Biography

Peter Armstrong was born in Western Australia, Australia

Peter Armstrong is an Anzac who served in World War Two.

Private Peter Armstrong served in the Australian Army in World War II
Service started: 3 November 1939
Unit(s): 2/1 AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION
Service ended: 27 May 1942

Peter Armstrong died in military service at Ceylon during the Second World War.

Peter Warwick Armstrong was born on 2nd September 1921 in Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia. He was the son of William Armstrong and Dorothy Armstrong. ^[1]

On 3rd November 1939 at Northbridge, in Sydney, New South Wales' northern suburbs, Peter enlisted in the newly-formed Second Australian Imperial Force for military service overseas during the recently-declared Second World War. ^{[2] [3]}

He was allocated to B Company, 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion, the first battalion formed in the 16th Brigade, 6th Division. After training at Ingleburn, New South Wales the battalion embarked on for the Middle East 10th January 1940. Following further training near Gaza and in Egypt, the battalion's first campaign was the advance from Egypt into eastern Libya in January and February 1941 in which it was involved in the attacks to capture Bardia (3-5th January) and Tobruk (21-22nd January).

Peter is reported as distinguishing himself in the attack on Post 76 at Tobruk as a member of B Company. ^[4] After garrisoning the port city of Tobruk until 7th March, the battalion embarked for Greece with the rest of the 6th Division. It was deployed in the north to resist the anticipated German invasion. In the face of overwhelming odds, the Allies gradually withdrew southward and was evacuated to Crete.

Once more, overwhelming odds, combined with a shortage of ammunition and food, the members of the 2/1st were either evacuated or captured on 30th May when their famous defence of the Retimo Airfield collapsed. Peter was one of the one hundred to escape and to make his way to Palestine (Israel) where the battalion was rebuilt.

After manning defences in the snow of northern Syria between October 1941 and January 1942 the battalion left the Middle East on 10th March 1942, heading for home and then the war against Japan. However, the 16th and 18th Brigades were diverted to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in the expectation of Japanese invasion. Whilst air-raids were experienced the invasion was thwarted by the Royal Navy. ^[5]

Pte. Peter Warwick Armstrong died on 27 May 1942 as a result of an accident resulting from careless use of a pistol in Colombo, Sri Lanka and was buried in the Borella Kanatte General Cemetery, Colombo, Sri Lanka. ^{[6] [4] [7]} Peter Warwick Armstrong's name is located at panel 28 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. ^[8] Peter's family were issued his campaign and service medals following the war: 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, War Medal 1939-1945 and Australia Service Medal 1939-1945.

In 1948, the following notice appeared in Perth's Western Mail: "IN MEMORIAM. BAWDEN: In loving memory of our beloved son and brother, Corporal William Gilbert, Croix de Guerre (with Palm and Star), 44th Battalion, who died in England, April 24, 1930, result of war wounds; also our. grandson, Peter Warwick Armstrong, who was accidentally killed on active service, May 27, 1942. (Inserted by their loving family.)" ^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ :BIRTH. WA BDM Birth Reg: #774/1921

   Family name Armstrong

   Given names Peter W

   Place of birth District of Fremantle

2. ↑ World War Two Service (Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs : accessed 27 Jan 2023), Veteran Details for PETER WARWICK ARMSTRONG for Service with the Australian Army. Service Number: NX2625; Rank: Private; Enlistment from 3 November 1939 to 27 May 1942.
3. ↑ [https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=122352&c=WW2 :WWII Service Record:

   Name ARMSTRONG, PETER WARWICK

   Service Australian Army

   Service Number NX2625

   Date of Birth 2 Sep 1918

   Place of Birth FREEMANTLE, WA

   Date of Enlistment 3 Nov 1939

   Locality on Enlistment NORTHBRIDGE, NSW

   Place of Enlistment MILLERS POINT, NSW

   Next of Kin ARMSTRONG, W

   Date of Death 27 May 1942

   Rank Private

   Posting on Death 2/1 AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BATTALION

   WW2 Honours and Gallantry None for display

   Prisoner of War No

   Roll of Honour NORTHBRIDGE NSW]

4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Givney, Edwin C. The First at War: The Story of the 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion 1939-45. The Association of First Infantry Battalions. Earlwood, 1987. 1 86252 965 5
5. ↑ Australian War Memorial unit record: 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion; accessed 7 May 20221
6. ↑ FindAGrave, database and images, memorial page for Pte. Peter Warwick Armstrong; Born: 2 Sep 1918 Fremantle, Western Australia; Died: 27 May 1942 Colombo, Sri Lanka; Cemetery: Borella Kanatte General Cemetery, Colombo, Sri Lanka; Find A Grave: Memorial #47262625; maintained by: Jack Edwards; created by: International Wargraves Photography Project; accessed: 26 Jan 2023
7. ↑ [http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2111503/ARMSTRONG,%20PETER%20WARWICK :Commonwealth War Graves Commission:

   ARMSTRONG, PETER WARWICK

   Rank: Private

   Service No: NX/2625

   Date of Death: 27/05/1942

   Age: 20

   Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry A.I.F. 2/1 Bn.

   Grave Reference: Plot 6B. Row N. Grave 1.

   Cemetery: COLOMBO (KANATTE) GENERAL CEMETERY

   Additional Information: Son of William Francis and Dorothy Granada Armstrong, of Northbridge, New South Wales, Australia]

8. ↑ Australian War Memorial roll of honour: NX2625 Corporal Peter Warwick Armstrong; accessed 7 May 2021
9. ↑ Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954) Thu 29 Apr 1948, Page 75