Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Alfred Armstrong a Farmer, born 1861 in Burton Coggles, Lincolnshire and his wife Mary, born 1862 in Stathern, Leicestershire. Alfred William was born in 1892 in Sewstern, Leicestershire, his siblings were Thomas, born 1886, Fred, born 1878, Harry, born 1888, Sydney, born 1894, Cecil, born 1896, Dorothy L., born 1898, Albert, born 1900, all the latter siblings were born in Sewstern, Leicestershire, Winnie, born 1903 in Castle Bytham, Linconshire. In March 1901 the family home was at Main Street, Sewstern, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Alfred was employed as a Waggoner on a Farm and was residing as a boarder at Coston, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. His mother later gave the family home address as Syston, Grantham, Lincs. His enlistment documents record that he gave his mother, Mrs Mary Armstrong of Sewstern, Leicestershire, England as his next of kin. His trade or calling was given as Labourer, and he stated that he was unmarried. Information taken from his medical examination shows that he was 5 foot 5 1/2 inches in height, weighed 139 pounds and had a chest measurement of 34 to 38 inches. His complexion was described as fair with blue eyes and fair hair. It was noted that he had three vaccination marks on his left arm. He gave his religion as Church of England. His record of service gives the following information. Enlisted on the 3rd January 1915 in Ayr, Queensland, Australia. Embarked from Brisbane, Australia aboard H.M.A.T. Aeneas on the 29th June 1915 and proceeded to join the Middle East Expeditionary Force. Embarked from Alexandria, Egypt 4th September 1915. Disembarked Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey. Embarked from Mudros, Greece aboard H.T. Hororata 9th January 1916. Disembarked Alexandria, Egypt 9th January 1916. Proceeded to join the British Expeditionary Force and embarked from Alexandria, Egypt on the 14th March 1916. Disembarked Marseilles, France on the 19th March 1916. Transferred from 25th Battalion, Australian Infantry, "D" Company to Z 2/A Trench Mortar Battery, Australian Field Artillery in France on the 19th April 1916. Detached for training at the 1st ANZAC Trench Mortar School, France on the 25th March 1917. Rejoined his unit in the Field in France on the 6th April 1917. Killed in action in the Field, France on the 7th May 1917. Buried in Moreuil British Cemetery No.2, 5 3/4 miles N.N.E. of Bapaume, France. His last will and testament was written in Cairo, Egypt, as follows:- Dear Dad Mam and all am writing a few lines hoping they will find you well has it leaves me first rate at present. Am leaving for the front shortly will be there by you get this if I am lucky I am sending watch and chain I want you to keep it for me and if anything happens to me I want Albert to have it. I have a banking account amounting to £193.14.5 and over one years interest to be added in the Queensland Government Savings Bank and if any thing happens to me I want you to claim it. There will be a few pounds to collect besides the 3 shillings a day that I have alecoited (sic) to you through the Queensland Bank out of my pay while I am on active service I dont want you to think that I am going to get killed for some how I d'ont (sic) think I will so I will close hoping these few lines will find you quite well has leaves me first rate and am glad we are getting a move on I am Your Affectionate Son Bill x xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx A.W. Armstrong Certified to be a true copy of Holograph Will of No. 795 Gunner A. W. Armstrong. Z 2/A Trench Mortar Batty. On the 18th September 1917 a parcel was forwarded to Alfred's mother containing his personal effects, consisting of two prayer books, a testament and a pair of socks. Alfred was awarded the 1915 Star, British and Victory Medals which were forwarded to his mother in Sewstern, Leicestershire, England. After the war, the Graves Registration Unit exhumed Alfred's body and reburied him in Queant Road British Cemetery, France.