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Cecil Armstrong - Information

When the war commenced, Cecil Armstrong was living in Kensington and had just completed an 18 month apprenticeship on Hay St in Sydney, and began working as a mechanic and motor driver. Cecil was born in Camden, and when he was 26 years old, decided to enlist in the AIF. He signed up in Sydney on the 17th of June 1915. Due to his work experience, he was allotted to the 8th Army Service Company, 17th Divisional Ammunition Column as a Motor Driver. He was then shipped out from Sydney onboard the HMAT Argyllshire on the 30th of September 1915.

Cecil arrived in Egypt, and was then transported to England on the 18th of April 1916, and a few weeks later mustered in Rouen in France. Here, Cecil was detached for duty with the 2nd Casualty Clearing Station, transporting patients. In late May, he was allotted to the No. 1 Australian Division Supply Company and later 2nd Motor Transport Company, while still attached for duty with the 2nd Casualty Clearing Station. Cecil’s most important role was transporting wounded and sick troops. He did this with so much gusto, that he was ridiculously charged with military infractions in the performance of his duties. On the 14th of December, he was charged with disobeying an order from a 4th Army Staff Officer, exceeding the speed limit. As a result, he lost a day’s pay. In July 1918, he was also charged with leaving his vehicle unattended with the engine running. He was most likely rushing to carry or collect wounded soldiers at the time. Cecil continued to work as a Motor Driver after the war ended. In early April 1919, he was posted back in England, and sent back to Australia in July. After he was discharged in December, he returned to his civilian life. Cecil eventually became a member of the Returned Service League in Dee Why, where he honoured the sacrifice of his generation.